Hypervariable region 1 and N-linked glycans of hepatitis C regulate virion neutralization by modulating envelope conformations.

ABSTRACT: About two million new cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections annually underscore the urgent need for a vaccine. However, this effort has proven challenging because HCV evades neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) through molecular features of viral envelope glycoprotein E2, including hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) and N-linked glycans. Here, we observe large variation in the effects of removing individual E2 glycans across HCV strains H77(genotype 1a), J6(2a), and S52(3a) in Huh7.5 cell infections. Also, glycan-mediated effects on neutralization sensitivity were completely HVR1-dependent, and neutralization data were consistent with indirect protection of epitopes, as opposed to direct steric shielding. Indeed, the effect of removing each glycan was similar both in type (protective or sensiti

SUBMITTER: Prentoe J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6525505 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature