Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Two Methods of Heterokaryon Formation to Discover HCV Restriction Factors
16:49

Two Methods of Heterokaryon Formation to Discover HCV Restriction Factors

Published on: July 16, 2012

Change of hypervariable region proteins of hepatitis C virus E2 in two infants

R Li1, K Sugiyama, K Goto

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya City University Medical School, Nagoya, Japan.

Clinical Laboratory
|April 11, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genetic diversity evolved differently in two infants after vertical transmission. Infant 2 showed higher mutation rates in the HCV E2 gene hypervariable region (HVR) compared to infant 1, with increased anti-HCV levels observed in both.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Vertical transmission of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can lead to chronic infection in infants.
  • Understanding HCV genetic evolution in infants is crucial for predicting disease progression and immune response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic drift of the HCV E2 gene hypervariable region (HVR) in two vertically infected infants.
  • To compare viral evolution between infants and their mothers and between the two infant cases.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of five complementary DNA (cDNA) clones from each infant and their mothers.
  • Sequencing and comparison of the HCV E2 gene hypervariable region (HVR).
  • Monitoring of serum ALT levels, HCV-core protein activity, and anti-HCV antibody levels.

Main Results:

  • HCV strains in infant 1 were initially identical to her mother's, while infant 2's strains differed significantly from her mother's.
  • The mutation rate of HVR-1 proteins was 1.6 to 2-fold higher in infant 2 than in infant 1.
  • HVR-1 mutation rates increased significantly from 6 months of age in both infants, coinciding with elevated anti-HCV levels.

Conclusions:

  • Infant HCV infections exhibit distinct genetic evolutionary patterns.
  • Increased HVR-1 mutation rates in infants may be linked to the development of adaptive immune responses, indicated by rising anti-HCV antibody levels.

More Related Videos

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks10:28

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks

Published on: June 26, 2020

Hepatitis E Virus Fluorescence Reduction Neutralization Test for Measuring Neutralizing Antibody Titers07:58

Hepatitis E Virus Fluorescence Reduction Neutralization Test for Measuring Neutralizing Antibody Titers

Published on: May 22, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...