Substitution of the CD81 Binding Site and β-Sandwich Area in E2 of HCV in Cambodia

Abstract

The high genetic variability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main obstacle to developing a vaccine. E2 has attracted attention for vaccine development because targeting this protein could potentially overcome issues related to the genetic diversity of HCV. In this study, we analyzed HCV genes in the general population of Cambodia and investigated the E2 locus as a candidate for vaccine development. HCV sero-epidemiological surveys were conducted between the period 2010 and 2014, with an HCV RNA–positive rate of 1.3% (11/868). Follow-up blood samples were collected from four anti-HCV– and HCV RNA– positive patients (genotype 1b: 2 cases, 6e: 1 case, 6r: 1 case) after 4.12 years. Analysis of HCV full-length nucleotide sequences in paired specimens revealed that the mutation rates of HCV genotypes 1b and 6e/6r were 1.61–2.03 × 10−3 and 2.52–2.74 × 10−3 substitutions/site/year, respectively. Non-synonymous substitutions were detected in HVR1, the front layer of the CD81 binding site, and the β-sandwich, but not in the N-terminal region or adjacent to the CD81 binding site. Therefore, we conclude that the CD81 binding site is a promising locus for HCV vaccine development.

Hepatitis C seroprevalence among people living with HIV/AIDS and pregnant women in four provinces in Cambodia: an integrated bio-behavioral survey

“…HCV genotype 1b (47.8%) and 6 (30.4%) were predominant in the current study. This finding is consistent with several previous studies in Cambodia, which reported HCV genotype 1b and 6 as the common genotypes observed in Cambodia [ 6 , 15 , 16 , 22 , 23 ]. The genotype 6 variant was also found as the most common in Vietnam and Laos [ 22 ], in blood donors in some regions of Thailand [ 16 ] and in intravenous drugs users in China [ 17 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Molecular characterization and the mutation pattern of SARS-CoV-2 during first and second wave outbreaks in Hiroshima, Japan

“…Our study also showed that the mutation rate between the first and second waves was 34.9-40.6 nucleotides per year, corresponding to 1.17-1.36 × 10 −3 base substitutions per site per year. This mutation rate is lower than that of hepatitis C virus [13]. A recent study reported that the mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2 in variable sites was 3.5 × 10 −3 changes per site per year, higher than the value we measured [14].…”

Systematic Review of Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence in the WHO Western Pacific Region

“…While HCV antibody prevalence was comparatively high in Papua New Guinea at 4.2%, only one small study among blood donors (n = 1206) was identified [ 10 ] and this estimate may not be representative of the general population. HCV antibody prevalence was also comparatively high at 3.9% in Cambodia where, similarly, only one small study (n = 868) was identified [ 11 ], However, hepatitis C viraemic prevalence in this setting was substantially lower at 1.3%. Mongolia was a notable exception, with this review confirming the endemic nature of HCV in this setting [ 12 ].…”

“…Refs. [ 10 , 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , …”