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01-05-2024 | Hepatitis C | Brief Report

Development of an effective single-chain variable fragment recognizing a novel epitope in the hepatitis C virus E2 protein that restricts virus entry into hepatocytes

Authors: Soma Das, Padmanava Behera, Dipeshwari J Shewale, Janhavi Bodele, Saumitra Das, Anjali A Karande

Published in: Archives of Virology | Issue 5/2024

Abstract

Previously, we reported a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, A8A11, raised against a novel conserved epitope within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 protein, that could significantly reduce HCV replication. Here, we report the nucleotide sequence of A8A11 and demonstrate the efficacy of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) protein that mimics the antibody, inhibits the binding of an HCV virus-like particle to hepatocytes, and reduces viral RNA replication in a cell culture system. More importantly, scFv A8A11 was found to effectively restrict the increase of viral RNA levels in the serum of HCV-infected chimeric mice harbouring human hepatocytes. These results suggest a promising approach to neutralizing-antibody-based therapeutic interventions against HCV infection.

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Title: Development of an effective single-chain variable fragment recognizing a novel epitope in the hepatitis C virus E2 protein that restricts virus entry into hepatocytes
Authors: Soma Das
Padmanava Behera
Dipeshwari J Shewale
Janhavi Bodele
Saumitra Das
Anjali A Karande
Publication date: 01-05-2024
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Keyword: Hepatitis C
Published in: Archives of Virology / Issue 5/2024
Print ISSN: 0304-8608
Electronic ISSN: 1432-8798
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-024-06024-4

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