Abstract
A complete understanding of the molecular features of humoral immune response could be of pivotal importance in the management of persistent viruses as HCV. In this study, 24 HCV-positive samples, characterized by classical virological parameters, are evaluated using a new assay for the quantitation of antibody subpopulations directed against discrete epitopes on surface glycoprotein E2, a key viral protein. The results, besides confirming the usefulness of this new approach, highlight the extreme heterogeneity of anti-HCV/E2 response as far as single epitopes are concerned. The specific epitopes under study are also demonstrated to be widely shared among different genotypes.
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
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Antibody Formation / immunology
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Binding, Competitive / immunology
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Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
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Epitopes / immunology
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Genotype
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Hepacivirus / genetics
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Hepacivirus / immunology*
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Hepatitis C / diagnosis
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Hepatitis C / immunology
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Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
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Hepatitis C Antibodies / genetics
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Hepatitis C Antibodies / immunology*
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Hepatitis C Antigens / immunology
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / genetics
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Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / immunology
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Models, Immunological
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Oligopeptides
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Peptides / genetics
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Peptides / immunology
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Recombinant Proteins / genetics
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Recombinant Proteins / immunology
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Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*
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Viral Load / methods
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Epitopes
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Hepatitis C Antibodies
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Hepatitis C Antigens
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Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
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Oligopeptides
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Peptides
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Recombinant Proteins
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Viral Envelope Proteins
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glycoprotein E2, Hepatitis C virus
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FLAG peptide