Hepatitis C virus research

A Computational Framework for Understanding HCV Infection and Associated Lipid Dynamics

This paper develops a mathematical model integrating HCV infection dynamics with lipid metabolism to show lipid feedback drives viral persistence and oscillations.

Hepatitis C virus NS5A is not an effective antagonist of the canonical PKR-eIF2α pathway

This study shows that HCV NS5A does not inhibit the PKR-eIF2 pathway, contradicting previous claims and supporting that HCV replicates despite active PKR response.

Consensus native-like hepatitis C virus E1E2 engages broadly neutralizing antibody precursors

This paper develops a consensus HCV E1E2 antigen that engages germline B cell precursors of broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Inhibition of Nrf1 activity is a relevant for the HCV-dependent dysregulation of host lipid metabolism

This study shows that HCV reduces Nrf1 proteoforms and inhibits their nuclear translocation, leading to increased cholesterol and lipid droplets, which support HCV replication and pathogenesis.

Intra-host IRES heterogeneity shapes hepatitis C virus translation through epistatic and population-level effects

This study shows that natural variation in HCV IRES affects translation efficiency through epistasis and population-level effects, challenging reliance on dominant sequences.

Incorporation of native HCV E1E2 into a nanoparticle vaccine platform

This paper develops a nanoparticle vaccine platform incorporating native HCV E1E2 to enhance immunogenicity, showing improved neutralizing antibody responses compared to subunit vaccines.

A novel dimerization site in non-structural protein 5A of hepatitis C virus regulates viral replication fitness

This study identifies a dimerization site in NS5A that enhances HCV replication fitness by promoting self-interaction, which inhibits NS3 and NS5B activity.

Distinct mechanisms of antibody-mediated HCV neutralization revealed by nanobody-guided epitope mapping

The conserved bridging domain on HCV E1E2 glycoprotein complex is targeted by neutralizing antibodies from diverse lineages

This study identifies the conserved bridging domain on HCV E1E2 as a target for neutralizing antibodies from diverse lineages, showing additivity with neutralizing face antibodies.

Lupeol, a bioactive compound of tamarind, functions as a potent inhibitor of hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry through disruption of the E2-CD81 interaction.

This study identifies lupeol from tamarind as a potent inhibitor of HCV entry by disrupting the E2-CD81 interaction, validated through experimental and computational methods.

Hepatitis C virus genotype homogeneity and lack of major Sofosbuvir resistance-associated substitutions among blood donors in Ethiopia

This study identifies HCV genotype 4d as predominant among Ethiopian blood donors with no major sofosbuvir resistance-associated substitutions detected.

Structure-guided design of a CD81-binding mini-protein that blocks hepatitis C virus entry

This paper designs a CD81-binding mini-protein using deep learning to block HCV entry, showing high affinity, stability, and antiviral activity.

Modeling in vitro cell-to-cell spread of hepatitis C viral infection using an agent-based approach

This paper develops an agent-based model to simulate HCV cell-to-cell spread in vitro, incorporating cell proliferation, size changes, and foci merging, and shows it fits experimental data well.

Structural and biochemical insights into HCV envelope proteins for germline-targeting vaccines

This study identifies structural features of HCV E2 glycoprotein recognized by germline B cell receptors and evaluates strategies to enhance germline antibody interactions.

Structural and genetic signatures of two classes of HCV E2 neutralizing face antibodies from non-human primates immunized with a recombinant E1E2

This study identifies two classes of HCV E2 neutralizing antibodies from non-human primates immunized with a recombinant E1E2, showing similarity to human antibodies.

Generation of a HiBiT-expressing recombinant rat hepacivirus supporting both in vivo and in vitro infection

This paper develops a HiBiT-expressing recombinant rat hepacivirus that can infect both in vitro and in vivo, enabling quantitative antiviral screening and pathogenicity studies.

Modulation of lipid metabolism by thapsigarin inhibits hepatitis C virus infection by multiple mechanisms

This study shows that thapsigargin inhibits HCV infection by modulating lipid metabolism, affecting both RNA replication and viral egress through distinct mechanisms.

Native-like soluble E1E2 glycoprotein heterodimers on self-assembling protein nanoparticles for hepatitis C virus vaccine design

The paper designs, characterizes, and tests a soluble HCV E1E2 heterodimer and self-assembling nanoparticles for vaccine development.

Hepatitis C virus replication fitness as a determinant of antiviral therapy outcome

This study examines how HCV replication fitness affects antiviral treatment outcomes, finding that high replication fitness can compensate for resistance mutations and contribute to DAA treatment failure.

Structural Repertoire of HCV Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Targeting the E2 Front Layer Supersite

This study classifies three structural classes of HCV broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting the E2 front layer supersite and shows their sensitivity to viral polymorphisms.

mAbClust with AlphaFold 3 avoids hallucinations to define a quaternary broadly neutralizing HCV epitope

The paper isolates E1-dependent broadly neutralizing antibodies against HCV and uses mAbClust with AlphaFold 3 to map a quaternary epitope spanning E1 and E2.

Development of a Norway Rat Hepacivirus Reporter for High-Throughput Quantification of Neutralising Antibodies

This paper develops a Norway rat hepacivirus reporter system with a HiBiT tag for high-throughput quantification of neutralising antibodies and antiviral responses.

The architecture of membrane structures involved in hepatitis C virus genome replication revealed in close-to-native conditions by cryo-electron tomography

This study uses cryo-electron tomography to visualize HCV replication structures in near-native conditions, revealing densities within membranous vesicles that may represent viral replication machinery.

B cell transcriptomics reveals lasting dysregulation and rapid decline of protective memory after hepatitis C cure

This study shows that B cells in hepatitis C patients retain dysregulated transcriptional profiles after cure, with sustained TNF signaling driving chronic inflammation and loss of protective memory.

HCVTyper: A Nextflow pipeline for hepatitis C virus genome assembly, genotyping and antiviral resistance detection

HCVTyper is a Nextflow pipeline for HCV genome analysis that enables assembly, genotyping, and resistance detection with reproducible workflows and containerization.

Genome-wide association and gene-virus interaction study of liver disease in hepatitis C virus-infected patients

This study identifies genetic risk factors and host-viral interactions for cirrhosis progression in hepatitis C virus-infected patients but finds no genome-wide significant associations for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Identification of claudin-3 as an entry factor for rat hepacivirus

This study identifies claudin-3 as an entry factor for rat hepacivirus, showing host-specificity determined by two amino acids in extracellular loop 1.

Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease cleaves SPG20, a key regulator of lipid droplet turnover, to promote lipid droplet formation

This study identifies that HCV NS3/4A protease cleaves SPG20, disrupting Itch-mediated degradation of ADRP and promoting lipid droplet formation in infected cells.

Membrane binding promotes oligomerization and functional activation of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

This study shows membrane binding promotes oligomerization and functional activation of HCV NS5B RdRp by inducing a conformational shift that enhances RNA binding.

Interactions of Natural Compounds and Biomolecules with Hepatitis C Virus RNA Untranslated Regions: Exploring Structural Modifications to Advance Pathogenesis Understanding and Antiviral Strategy Design

This study examines interactions of HCV UTRs with miRNAs, phytochemicals, and proteins, revealing structural changes and novel interactors that may influence viral pathogenesis and antiviral strategies.