Hepatitis C reference viruses highlight potent antibody responses and diverse viral functional interactions with neutralising antibodies

Key message

To date, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV). Since no immunocompetent animal model is available, preclinical cell culture assays using divergent HCV variants are important to measure the breadth and strength of vaccine-induced antibodies. We have developed a robust assay system that can be used to evaluate cross-neutralizing antibodies.  We have learned that variants respond differently to patient antibodies regardless of their genetic background and can be classified into 6 functionally distinct "HCV biotypes." The in vitro assay we developed includes 6 HCV variants covering the 6 biotypes.

Translational perspective

Our results may help in the future to assess the efficacy of vaccine candidates and to develop a broadly effective vaccine.