A Decline in Anti-Core+1 Antibody Titer Occurs in Successful Treatment of Patients Infected with Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes one of the major chronic liver diseases (CLD). HCV-core encoding sequence possesses an overlapping open reading frame (ORF) that expresses a protein called F or core+1. Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the presence and titer of anti-core+1 antibody (Ab) in 70 Iranian patients infected with HCV-1a, responder and non-responder groups, under combination therapy with pegylated interferon-α (PegIFN-α) plus ribavirin (RBV) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Methods: In the current cohort study, HCV-1a core+1 gene was amplified and cloned into vector followed by expressing in Escherichia coli and then, purified by ion exchange chromatography. The antibody titer of patients was evaluated before, during (12, 24, and 48 weeks), and 6 months after the end of therapy (ETR). Results: The seroprevalence of anti-core+1 Ab was 75.7% in pretreatment sera. The combination therapy could induce a decline in the level of anti-core+1 Ab in both groups of responders and non-responders. These changes were significant only in the responders (P = 0.003). The seroprevalence of anti-core+1 Ab had no correlation with the outcome of treatment. Conclusions: According to the current study results, HCV core+1 protein elicit a specific antibody response other than the anti-core protein antibodies. The current study data also suggested that the level of anti-core+1 antibody might be affected by the combination therapy and associated with sustained virological response (SVR). The data implied that the declining trend of anti-core+1 Abs during the treatment might be an alternative representation of the therapeutic response in Iranian population infected with HCV.

Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses Among College Students: A Report From Iran

“…HBV and HCV are associated with severe liver disease including chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. [1][2][3][4] Evidence has shown that liver disease caused by hepatitis viruses can be more aggressive and severe in HIV carriers. 5 Globally, more than 71 million people globally have chronic hepatitis C infection, who are at a risk of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, and causes 399,000 deaths every year.…”

Hepatitis C virus alternative reading frame protein (ARFP): Production, features, and pathogenesis

“…29 Also, treatment with interferon may cause a decline in anti-F protein antibody in patients who responds to treatment. 30 Interestingly F protein antibody level is significantly higher in patients who do not respond to treatment. 30,31 These findings suggest a possible role in negative response to treatment.…”

“…30 Interestingly F protein antibody level is significantly higher in patients who do not respond to treatment. 30,31 These findings suggest a possible role in negative response to treatment.…”

“…Moreover, some other studies show conflicting results as the anti‐F protein antibody decline in patients who receives treatment 29 . Also, treatment with interferon may cause a decline in anti‐F protein antibody in patients who responds to treatment 30 . Interestingly F protein antibody level is significantly higher in patients who do not respond to treatment 30,31 .…”

Bioinformatics Analysis of Domain 1 of HCV-Core Protein: Iran

“…HCV infection is a serious global health problem and causes chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and HCC (Akuta et al 2007;Ajorloo et al 2015;Alborzi et al 2017Alborzi et al , 2015Moayedi et al 2018;Hashempoor et al 2018). It is estimated that 160 million people are infected worldwide (Lavanchy 2011).…”