Despite successful HCV treatment with antivirals, an HCV vaccine is crucial to prevent reinfections, drug resistance, and protect those lacking access to antivirals. Early broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) correlate with HCV clearance. Many potent bNAbs bind a conserved HCV glycoprotein E2 epitope via an unusual HCDR3 with an intra-loop disulfide bond. This study identifies new antibodies with this HCDR3 disulfide bond motif using computational screening (Rosetta software). Analysis of this antibody family reveals HCDR3 amino acid composition and determinants for bent versus straight HCDR3 loop conformations.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Jun 08, 2022
Authors
Nina G. Bozhanova, Andrew I. Flyak, Benjamin P. Brown, Stormy E. Ruiz, Jordan Salas, Semi Rho, Robin G. Bombardi, Luke Myers, Cinque Soto, Justin R. Bailey, James E. Crowe Jr., Pamela J. Bjorkman, Jens Meiler
Tags
HCV vaccine
broadly neutralizing antibodies
antiviral treatment
computational screening
glycoprotein E2
HCDR3
reinfection prevention
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