Detection of neutralizing antibodies to hepatitis C virus using a biliary cell infection model.
The identification and characterization of neutralizing anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies may have a major impact on understanding HCV pathogenesis. However, to date, their detection has only been based on the inhibition of either the E2 envelope protein or HCV virions binding to different target cells. The permissiveness of primary biliary cells for HCV infection has been demonstrated previously. In the present report, infection of biliary cells was demonstrated further by combining PCR and immunohistochemical detection of the HCV core protein. This study demonstrates, using both serum and purified IgG, the presence of neutralizing anti-HCV antibodies in the serum of patients showing long-term response to antiviral therapy. Overall, the usefulness of the primary biliary cell infection model to investigate anti-HCV neutralization is shown.
Bichr
Saadia
S
Inserm U370, Faculté de Médecine Necker, 156 rue de Vaugirard, 75730 Paris Cédex 15, France1.
Rende-Fournier
Rosanna
R
Inserm U370, Faculté de Médecine Necker, 156 rue de Vaugirard, 75730 Paris Cédex 15, France1.
Vona
Giovanna
G
Inserm U370, Faculté de Médecine Necker, 156 rue de Vaugirard, 75730 Paris Cédex 15, France1.
Yamamoto
Ana-Maria
AM
Inserm U25; Hôpital Necker; 75015 Paris, France2.
Depla
Erik
E
Innogenetics, Gent, Belgium3.
Maertens
Geert
G
Innogenetics, Gent, Belgium3.
Bréchot
Christian
C
Inserm U370, Faculté de Médecine Necker, 156 rue de Vaugirard, 75730 Paris Cédex 15, France1.
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G