Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer1. Cell entry of HCV2 and other pathogens3, 4, 5 is mediated by tight junction (TJ) proteins, but successful therapeutic targeting of TJ proteins has not been reported yet. Using a human liver–chimeric mouse model6, we show that a monoclonal antibody specific for the TJ protein claudin-1 (ref. 7) eliminates chronic HCV infection without detectable toxicity. This antibody inhibits HCV entry, cell-cell transmission and virus-induced signaling events. Antibody treatment reduces the number of HCV-infected hepatocytes in vivo, highlighting the need for de novo infection by means of host entry factors to maintain chronic infection. In summary, we demonstrate that an antibody targeting a virus receptor can cure chronic viral infection and uncover TJ proteins as targets for antiviral therapy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 549-554 |
Journal | Nature Biotechnology |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 23 Mar 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2015 |
Keywords
- Hepatitis C
- monoclonal antibody
- chronic viral infection
- antiviral therapy