Zibert A, Kraas W, Ross RS, Meisel H, Lechner S, Jung G, Roggendorf M. Immunodominant B-cell domains of hepatitis C virus envelope proteins E1 and E2 identified during early and late time points of infection.
J Hepatol 1999;
30:177-84. [PMID:
10068093 DOI:
10.1016/s0168-8278(99)80059-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS
We characterized immunoreactive B-cell domains of hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope proteins E1 and E2 by a peptide ELISA using sera of patients who were infected by the same isolate of HCV (HCV-AD78).
METHODS
Fifty-four overlapping peptides which corresponded to the sequence of E1 and E2 of isolate HCV-AD78 were used to detect specific antibodies. Three groups of HCV-AD78 related sera were analyzed. Two groups were from sera obtained at early time points of infection (months 4-15) from patients who later resolved infection (group A), or who later developed chronic disease (group B). Group C sera were from later time points of chronic disease. As a control, sera of chronic HCV patients who did not have HCV-AD78 infection were also analyzed (group D).
RESULTS
In group A, 25 of the 54 peptides produced OD405 above the cut-off, whereas 17 peptides produced such values in group B. Only 10 and 3 peptides yielded such values in groups C and D, respectively. The overall prevalence of antibodies against peptides was high in the early phase of infection (means of 28.7+/-14.8% and 25.9+/-14.5% in groups A and B, respectively). At later time points of chronic infection (group C), the overall prevalence was lower (mean 18.6+/-15.4%). Group D sera produced the lowest overall prevalence (mean 13.2+/-14.1%). Three peptides, covering aa271-290, aa481-500 and aa551-570, were recognized significantly more frequently (p<0.05) by group A sera than group B sera.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that more linear epitopes of the HCV envelope are recognized with a high prevalence of antibodies, as was suggested previously. However, most B-cell domains of the HCV envelope induce a similarly high antibody response in patients who resolve infection or develop chronic disease.
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