A Role for B Cells to Transmit Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exhibits high variability and establishes chronic infections in most patients via blood transmission.
• Limited in vitro cell culture systems hinder understanding of clinical HCV strain infectivity.
• HCV's association with and infection of immune cells may facilitate immune evasion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of B cells in Hepatitis C virus transmission.
• To assess the infectivity of B cells and sera from recent and chronic HCV patients in humanized liver chimeric mice.

Main Methods:

• Humanized liver chimeric mice were inoculated with B cells and sera from HCV patients.
• Infectivity was assessed by the ability of these biological materials to transmit HCV.
• Association between anti-glycoprotein E1E2 antibodies and B cell transmission was evaluated.

Main Results:

• B cells from chronically infected patients transmitted HCV, while their sera did not.
• B cells from recently infected patients did not transmit HCV, but their sera were infectious.
• Circulating anti-glycoprotein E1E2 antibodies correlated with B cell-mediated HCV transmission.

Conclusions:

• B cells play a significant role in Hepatitis C virus transmission, particularly in chronic infections.
• These findings suggest B cells as a potential target for HCV therapies and vaccines.
• The study highlights the importance of considering B cell involvement in HCV pathogenesis and vaccine design.