Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis in the world. Successful vaccine development is crucial in controlling global HCV infection. We have previously described the generation of HCV-like particles (HCV-LPs) in insect cells using a recombinant baculovirus containing the complementary DNA of the HCV structural proteins. These HCV-LPs had similar morphological and biophysical properties as the putative virions. In this study, we analyzed the structural features, antigenic composition, seroreactivity, and immunogenicity of purified HCV-LPs.
Methods: HCV-LPs were analyzed by electron microscopy and antibody immunolabeling and precipitation. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using HCV-LPs was developed. The humoral response to HCV-LPs in mice was studies by core and envelope ELISAs, Western immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence.
Results: Structural and antigenic compositions of HCV-LPs were shown to be similar to those of putative HCV virions. Using the HCV-LP ELISA, high-titer anti-HCV antibodies were detected in individuals infected with various HCV genotypes. In vivo, HCV-LPs elicited a humoral response broadly directed against HCV structural proteins.
Conclusions: HCV-LPs resemble HCV virions and are capable of inducing a humoral response targeted against various regions of HCV structural proteins, suggesting that HCV-LPs may be promising as a potential vaccine candidate.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0016-5085(99)70290-8 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Computational design of multi-epitope vaccine against Hepatitis C Virus infection using immunoinformatics techniques.
PLoS One
January 2025
Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a blood borne pathogen that affects around 200 million individuals worldwide. Immunizations against the Hepatitis C Virus are intended to enhance T-cell responses and have been identified as a crucial component of successful antiviral therapy. Nevertheless, attempts to mediate clinically relevant anti-HCV activity in people have mainly failed, despite the vaccines present satisfactory progress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSocial-structural barriers to primary care among sex workers: findings from a community-based cohort in Vancouver, Canada (2014-2021).
BMC Health Serv Res
January 2025
Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Faculty of Medicine, 1190 Hornby St., Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
Background: Due to social-structural marginalization, sex workers experience health inequities including a high prevalence of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, mental health disorders, trauma, and substance use, alongside a multitude of barriers to HIV and substance use services. Given limited evidence on sex workers' broader primary healthcare access, we aimed to examine social-structural factors associated with primary care use among sex workers over 7 years.
Methods: Data were derived from An Evaluation of Sex Workers Health Access (AESHA), a community-based open prospective cohort of women (cis and trans) sex workers in Metro Vancouver, from 2014 to 2021.
Generalized linear modeling of HCV infection among medical waste handlers in Sidama region, Ethiopia.
Front Epidemiol
January 2025
Department of Statistics, College of Natural and Computational Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
Background: There is limited evidence on prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among waste handlers in Sidama region, Ethiopia; however, this knowledge is necessary for effective prevention of HCV infection in the region.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected waste collectors from October 2021 to 30 July 2022 in different public hospitals of Sidama region of Ethiopia. Serum samples were collected from participants and screened for anti-HCV using rapid immunochromatography assay.
Development of Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) for Hepatitis C Virus genotype 4: a novel approach for vaccine development in Egypt.
BMC Biotechnol
January 2025
Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, 12622, Egypt.
Background: Egypt has the highest global prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection, particularly of genotype 4. The development of a prophylactic vaccine remains crucial for HCV eradication, yet no such vaccine currently exists due to the vaccine development challenges. The ability of Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) to mimic the native virus and incorporate neutralizing and conformational epitopes, while effectively engaging both humoral and cellular immune responses, makes them a promising approach to addressing the challenges in HCV vaccine development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKnowledge and occupational practices of beauticians and barbers in the transmission of viral hepatitis: A mixed-methods study in Volta Region of Ghana.
PLoS One
January 2025
Volta Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana.
Background: Hepatitis B and C viral (HBV and HCV) infections are endemic in Ghana. Also, the National Policy on Viral Hepatitis stipulates that there is unreliable data, limited knowledge, and a deficiency in research on viral hepatitis, especially among some high-risk workers in the eastern part of the country. This study therefore assessed the knowledge level and occupational practices of street beauticians and barbers in the transmission of HBV and HCV in the Volta Region of Ghana.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!