Hepatitis C Virus Pseudotype Particles Research Articles

Hepatitis C virus Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies Isolated 25 Years after Spontaneous Clearance.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is world-wide a major cause of liver related morbidity and mortality. No vaccine is available to prevent HCV infection. To design an effective vaccine, understanding immunity against HCV is necessary. The memory B cell repertoire was characterized from an intravenous drug user who spontaneously cleared HCV infection 25 years ago. CD27+IgG+ memory B cells were immortalized using BCL6 and Bcl-xL. These immortalized B cells were used to study antibody-mediated immunity against the HCV E1E2 glycoproteins. Five E1E2 broadly reactive antibodies were isolated: 3 antibodies showed potent neutralization of genotype 1 to 4 using HCV pseudotyped particles, whereas the other 2 antibodies neutralized genotype 1, 2 and 3 or 1 and 2 only. All antibodies recognized non-linear epitopes on E2. Finally, except for antibody AT12-011, which recognized an epitope consisting of antigenic domain C /AR2 and AR5, all other four antibodies recognized epitope II and domain B. These data show that a subject, who spontaneously cleared HCV infection 25 years ago, still has circulating memory B cells that are able to secrete broadly neutralizing antibodies. Presence of such memory B cells strengthens the argument for undertaking the development of an HCV vaccine.

Far-Red Fluorescent Lipid-Polymer Probes for an Efficient Labeling of Enveloped Viruses.

Far‐red emitting fluorescent lipid probes are desirable to label enveloped viruses, for their efficient tracking by optical microscopy inside autofluorescent cells. Most used probes are rapidly released from membranes, leading to fluorescence signal decay and loss of contrast. Here, water‐soluble lipid‐polymer probes are synthesized harboring hydrophilic or hydrophobic far‐red emitting dyes, and exhibiting enhanced brightness. They efficiently label Hepatitis C Virus pseudotyped particles (HCVpp), more stably and reproducibly than commercial probes, and a strong fluorescence signal is observed with a high contrast. Labeling with such probes do not alter virion morphology, integrity, nor infectivity. Finally, it is shown by fluorescence microscopy that these probes enable efficient tracking of labeled HCVpp inside hepatocarcinoma cells used as model hepatocytes, in spite of their autofluorescence up to 700 nm. These novel fluorescent lipid‐polymer probes should therefore enable a better characterization of early stages of infection of autofluorescent cells by enveloped viruses.

Khaya grandifoliola C.DC: a potential source of active ingredients against hepatitis C virus in vitro.

In this study, we examined the antiviral properties of Khaya grandifoliola C.DC (Meliaceae) on the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle in vitro and identified some of the chemical constituents contained in the fraction with the most antiviral activity. Dried bark powder was extracted by maceration in a methylene chloride/methanol (MCM) system (50:50; v/v) and separated on silica gel by flash chromatography. Infection and replication rates in Huh-7 cells were investigated by luciferase reporter assay and indirect immunofluorescence assay using subgenomic replicons, HCV pseudotyped particles, and cell-culture-derived HCV (HCVcc), respectively. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, and cellular gene expression was analysed by qRT-PCR. The chemical composition of the fraction with the most antiviral activity was analysed by coupled gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Five fractions of different polarities (F0-F100) were obtained from the MCM extract. One fraction (KgF25) showed the strongest antiviral effect on LucUbiNeoET replicons at nontoxic concentrations. Tested at 100 µg/mL, KgF25 had a high inhibitory effect on HCV replication, comparable to that of 0.01 µM daclatasvir or 1 µM telaprevir. This fraction also inhibited HCVcc infection by mostly targeting the entry step. KgF25 inhibited HCV entry in a pan-genotypic manner by directly inactivating free viral particles. Its antiviral effects were mediated by the transcriptional upregulation of the haem oxygenase-1 gene and interferon antiviral response. Three constituents, namely, benzene, 1,1'-(oxydiethylidene)bis (1), carbamic acid, (4-methylphenyl)-, 1-phenyl (2), and 6-phenyl, 4-(1'-oxyethylphenyl) hexene (3), were identified from the active fraction KgF25 by GC-MS. Khaya grandifoliola contains ingredients capable of acting on different steps of the HCV life cycle.

Antibodies to an interfering epitope in hepatitis C virus E2 can mask vaccine-induced neutralizing activity.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) neutralization occurring at the E2 region 412‐426 (EP‐I) could be enhanced when antibodies directed specifically to the E2 region 434‐446 (EP‐II) were removed from serum samples of persistently infected patients and vaccinated chimpanzees, a phenomenon of so‐called antibody interference. Here, we show that this type of interference can be observed in individuals after immunization with recombinant E1E2 proteins. One hundred twelve blinded serum samples from a phase I, placebo‐controlled, dose escalation trial using recombinant HCV E1E2 with MF59C.1 adjuvant in healthy HCV‐negative adults were tested in enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for binding reactivity to peptides representing the E2 regions 412‐426 (EP‐I) and 434‐446 (EP‐II). All samples were subsequently tested for neutralizing activity using cell‐culture HCV 1a(H77)/2a chimera, HCV pseudotype particles (HCVpp) H77, and HCVpp HCV‐1 after treatment to remove EP‐II‐specific antibodies or mock treatment with a control peptide. Among the 112 serum samples, we found 22 double positive (EP‐I and EP‐II), 6 EP‐II positive only, 14 EP‐I positive only, and 70 double negative. Depleting EP‐II antibodies from double‐positive serum samples increased 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) neutralizing antibody titers (up to 4.9‐fold) in up to 72% of samples (P ≤ 0.0005), contrasting with ID50 neutralization titer increases in 2 of 70 double‐negative samples (2.9%; P > 0.5). In addition, EP‐I‐specific antibody levels in serum samples showed a significant correlation with ID50 neutralization titers when EP‐II antibodies were removed (P < 0.0003). Conclusion: These data show that antibodies to the region 434‐446 are induced during immunization of individuals with recombinant E1E2 proteins, and that these antibodies can mask effective neutralizing activity from EP‐I‐specific antibodies. Elicitation of EP‐II‐specific antibodies with interfering capacity should be avoided in producing an effective cross‐neutralizing vaccine aimed at the HCV envelope proteins.(Hepatology 2015;62:1670–1682)

Studies on the role of neutralizing antibodies against envelope genes in resolving HCV pseudo-particles infection

Characterization of antibodies targeting the attachment and entry of the viral particles into host cells is important for studding antibody mediated neutralization. Antibodies against the envelope glycoproteins (EGP) have neutralizing capacity and can prevent HCV infections. System based on HCV pseudo typed-particles (HCVpp) stably expressing EGP can be used for screening of HCV anti envelope neutralizing antibodies in the serum of patients with acute and chronic HCV infections. The aim of the current study was to check HCVpp as a useful tool for the detection of anti-HCV envelope antibodies in the serum of HCV infected patients and to test the binding potential of these antiviral molecules to EGP of HCV 3a. Previously developed HCVpp harboring unmodified glycoproteins from local isolates in 293T cell line were used in this study. HCVpp were pre incubated with different concentrations of anti E1 antibody and different E2 antibodies to check antiviral activity. Further we used serum samples with low/medium (≤800,000 IU/mL), and high (>800,000 IU/mL) viral titer from chronic HCV male and female patients. Infection was done in Huh-7 cells for 1 h at 37 oC. Infectivity was checked through Luciferase assay. Considerable decrease in HCVpp infectivity with anti-envelope antibodies was observed in dose dependent manner. Maximum inhibition was seen when 5 µg/ml of monoclonal anti E1 antibody used. Further increase in concentration exhibited no decrease in infectivity which suggests that other factors are also involved in causing infection. Various well characterized E2-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been screened for their capability to reduce infection in Huh-7 cells. Three of the four mAbs specific for the E2 had no effect on the infectivity of HCVpp. Confirmation sensitive antibody H53 showed maximum inhibition of infectivity. HCV ELISA positive samples from both male and female patients were used to neutralize the HCVpp. The neutralizing antibody response was observed in both males and females patients and do not assemble the rapidly evolving HCV envelope glycoproteins. That is why in spite the presence of neutralizing antibodies in the blood they fail to resolve infections. Moreover E1 antibodies insignificantly (>0.05) inhibit HCVpp infectivity while E2 antibodies significantly (<0.05) inhibit HCVpp infection. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that anti-envelope antibodies particularly the anti-E2 could be extremely valuable for characterizing the humoral immune response to HCV and for evaluating the potential for developing passive and active immunization for hepatitis C along with interferon therapy.

Identification of peptides that bind hepatitis C virus envelope protein E2 and inhibit viral cellular entry from a phage-display peptide library

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope protein E2 is required for the entry of HCV into cells. Viral envelope proteins interact with cell receptors in a multistep process, which may be a promising target for the development of novel antiviral agents. In this study, a heptapeptide M13 phage-display library was screened for peptides that bind specifically to prokaryotically expressed, purified truncated HCV envelope protein E2. ELISA assay was used to quantify the binding of the peptides to HCV E2 protein. Flow cytometry, quantitative reverse-transcription PCR and western blotting were used to investigate the inhibition effect of one peptide on HCV infection in hepatoma cells (Huh7.5) in vitro. Four peptides capable of binding specifically to HCV E2 protein were obtained after three rounds of biopanning. Peptide C18 (WPWHNHR), with the highest affinity for binding HCV E2 protein, was synthesized. The results showed that peptide C18 inhibited the viral infectivity of both HCV pseudotype particles (HCVpp) harboring HCV envelope glycoproteins and cell-culture produced HCV (HCVcc). Thus, this study demonstrated that peptide C18 is a potential candidate for anti-HCV therapy as a novel viral entry inhibitor.

Additional Glycosylation Within a Specific Hypervariable Region of Subtype 3a of Hepatitis C Virus Protects Against Virus Neutralization

The envelope glycoprotein E2 of hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains several hypervariable regions. Interestingly, 2 regions of intragenotypic hypervariability within E2 have been described as being specific to HCV subtype 3a. Based on their amino acid position in E2, they were named HVR495 and HVR575. Here, we further investigated these regions in order to better understand their role in HCV infection. Sequences of HCV envelope glycoproteins from Pakistani patients infected with subtype 3a were cloned and compared with other subtype 3a sequences. The entry functions and the sensitivity to antibody neutralization of selected HCV glycoprotein sequences were tested in the HCV pseudotyped particles (HCVpp) system. In addition, the cell-cultured HCV system (HCVcc) was also used to confirm some of the data obtained with the HCVpp system. We observed interesting new features within HVR495 and HVR575 for several subtype 3a isolates. Indeed, changes in glycosylation sites were observed with the appearance of a new glycosylation site within HVR495. Importantly, HCVpp and HCVcc that contained this new HVR495 glycosylation site were less sensitive to antibody neutralization. We identified a new glycosylation site within the HVR495 region of HCV subtype 3a that has a protective effect against antibody neutralization.

Expression, purification and immunogenic characterization of hepatitis C virus recombinant E1E2 protein expressed by Pichia pastoris yeast

Development of an effective vaccine may be the key in the control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Recent studies have shown that HCV envelope proteins can induce broadly neutralizing antibodies against conserved domain for HCV binding to the cellular receptors. So HCV envelope proteins are considered as the major HCV vaccine candidate. In this study, we used Pichia pastoris yeast to express truncated HCV E1E2 protein, which consists of E1 residues 187–346 and E2 residues 381–699. The yeast can produce high level of recombinant HCV E1E2 protein. The protein has complex glycosylation and can bind to CD81, the putative HCV receptor. Moreover, the purified protein can efficiently induce anti-E1E2 antibodies in rabbits, which are able to neutralize two kinds of HCV pseudotype particles derived from HCV genotype 1a and 1b, as well as HCV virions derived from HCV genotype 2a. These findings indicate that the recombinant E1E2 glycoprotein is effective in inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies, and is a potent HCV vaccine candidate.

293 cells over‐expressing human ADI1 and CD81 are permissive for serum‐derived hepatitis C virus infection

Human aci-reductone dioxygenase 1 (ADI1) is a member of the Cupin superfamily. It binds to and inhibits the activities of membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase, a protein known to interact with the tight junction protein, claudin-1. Previously, a variant protein, named submergence-induced protein-like factor (Sip-L), consisting of ADI1 amino acids 64-179, was found to support hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and replication in 293 cells. In the present study, it was discovered that over-expression of human ADI1 in 293 cells (293-ADI1 cells) also supported HCV infection and replication. Using serum-derived HCV as an infectious source, enhanced cell uptake of HCV to a Northern blot detectable level was found in 293 cells over-expressing both CD81 and ADI1 (293-ADI1-CD81 cells). The enhanced cell entry was confirmed by the use of the vesicular stomatitis virus-based HCV pseudotype particles. However, transfection of HCV replicon RNA by electroporation into naïve 293 and 293-ADI1 cells revealed no difference in replication efficiency. Using the infectious J6/JFH chimera as an infectious source, the infectivity was compared between 293-ADI1-CD81 and Huh-7.5 cells. More infection foci were formed in the 293-ADI1-CD81 cells in the first round of infection. In conclusion, human ADI1 over-expression in 293 cells enhances cell entry but not replication of HCV. 293-ADI1-CD81 cells are permissive for serum-derived HCV infection.

The Tight Junction-Associated Protein Occludin Is Required for a Postbinding Step in Hepatitis C Virus Entry and Infection

The precise mechanisms regulating hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into hepatic cells remain unknown. However, several cell surface proteins have been identified as entry factors for this virus. Of these molecules, claudin-1, a tight junction (TJ) component, is considered a coreceptor required for HCV entry. Recently, we have demonstrated that HCV envelope glycoproteins (HCVgp) promote structural and functional TJ alterations. Additionally, we have shown that the intracellular interaction between viral E2 glycoprotein and occludin, another TJ-associated protein, could be the cause of the mislocalization of TJ proteins. Herein we demonstrated, by using cell culture-derived HCV particles (HCVcc), that interference of occludin expression markedly reduced HCV infection. Furthermore, our results with HCV pseudotyped particles indicated that occludin, but not other TJ-associated proteins, such as junctional adhesion molecule A or zonula occludens protein 1, was required for HCV entry. Using HCVcc, we demonstrated that occludin did not play an essential role in the initial attachment of HCV to target cells. Surface protein labeling experiments showed that both expression levels and cell surface localization of HCV (co)receptors CD81, scavenger receptor class B type I, and claudin-1 were not affected upon occludin knockdown. In addition, immunofluorescence confocal analysis showed that occludin interference did not affect subcellular distribution of the HCV (co)receptors analyzed. However, HCVgp fusion-associated events were altered after occludin silencing. In summary, we propose that occludin plays an essential role in HCV infection and probably affects late entry events. This observation may provide new insights into HCV infection and related pathogenesis.

Hepatitis C virus entry: molecular mechanisms and targets for antiviral therapy

With an estimated 170 million infected individuals, hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a major impact on public health. The liver is the primary target organ of HCV, and the hepatocyte is its primary target cell. Attachment of the virus to the cell surface followed by viral entry is the first step in a cascade of interactions between the virus and the target cell that is required for successful entry into the cell and initiation of infection. Using recombinant HCV envelope glycoproteins and HCV pseudotype particles, several cell surface molecules have been identified interacting with HCV during viral binding and entry. These include CD81, highly sulfated heparan sulfate, the low-density lipoprotein receptor, scavenger receptor class B type I and claudin-1. Treatment options for chronic HCV infection are limited and a vaccine to prevent HCV infection is not available. Interfering with HCV entry holds promise for drug design and discovery as the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying HCV interaction with the host cell is advancing. The complexity of the virus entry process offers several therapeutic targets.

Scavenger receptor class B type I is a key host factor for hepatitis C virus infection required for an entry step closely linked to CD81

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide. Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) has been shown to bind HCV envelope glycoprotein E2, participate in entry of HCV pseudotype particles, and modulate HCV infection. However, the functional role of SR-BI for productive HCV infection remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of SR-BI as an entry factor for infection of human hepatoma cells using cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc). Anti-SR-BI antibodies directed against epitopes of the human SR-BI extracellular loop specifically inhibited HCVcc infection in a dose-dependent manner. Down-regulation of SR-BI expression by SR-BI-specific short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) markedly reduced the susceptibility of human hepatoma cells to HCVcc infection. Kinetic studies demonstrated that SR-BI acts predominately after binding of HCV at an entry step occurring at a similar time point as CD81-HCV interaction. Although the addition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) enhanced the efficiency of HCVcc infection, anti-SR-BI antibodies and SR-BI-specific siRNA efficiently inhibited HCV infection independent of lipoprotein. Our data suggest that SR-BI (i) represents a key host factor for HCV entry, (ii) is implicated in the same HCV entry pathway as CD81, and (iii) targets an entry step closely linked to HCV-CD81 interaction.

Isolation and Characterization of Broadly Neutralizing Human Monoclonal Antibodies to the E1 Glycoprotein of Hepatitis C Virus

The relative importance of humoral and cellular immunity in the prevention or clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is poorly understood. However, there is considerable evidence that neutralizing antibodies are involved in disease control. Here we describe the detailed analysis of human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against HCV glycoprotein E1, which may have the potential to control HCV infection. We have identified two MAbs that can strongly neutralize HCV-pseudotyped particles (HCVpp) bearing the envelope glycoproteins of genotypes 1a, 1b, 4a, 5a, and 6a and less strongly neutralize HCVpp bearing the envelope glycoproteins of genotype 2a. Genotype 3a was not neutralized. The epitopes for both MAbs were mapped to the region encompassing amino acids 313 to 327. In addition, robust neutralization was also observed against cell culture-adapted viruses of genotypes 1a and 2a. Results from this study suggest that these MAbs may have the potential to prevent HCV infection.

Reduction of the infectivity of hepatitis C virus pseudoparticles by incorporation of misfolded glycoproteins induced by glucosidase inhibitors

Folding and assembly into complexes of some viral glycoproteins are exquisitely sensitive to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) alpha-glucosidase inhibition, which prevents the trimming of glucose from N-linked glycans. Derivatives of deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) iminosugars, which are potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, were shown to have antiviral activity against bovine viral diarrhea virus, a pestivirus related to hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to determine whether these inhibitors would affect HCV infectivity and to provide novel insights on their mechanism of action. The overall antiviral activity of glucosidase inhibitors was shown by using the two most relevant models currently available: the cell-culture model enabling complete replication of the HCV JFH1 strain in Huh7.5 cells, and infectious HCV pseudotyped particles (HCVpp) produced in HEK-293T cells that display functional E1-E2 glycoprotein complexes. By using the latter model, it is shown that the inhibition of alpha-glucosidases by iminosugars results in the misfolding and misassembly of HCV glycoprotein pre-budding complexes. This inhibition of the assembly of E1-E2 in the ER of transfected HEK-293T cells leads to a reduction in the incorporation of E1-E2 complexes into HCVpp. More importantly, it is demonstrated that the infectivity of HCVpp that are released under treatment is reduced and that this reduction in infectivity is due to the incorporation of misfolded envelope glycoproteins in secreted particles. These properties suggest the potential usefulness of DNJ derivatives in combating HCV infection.

Transmembrane Domains of Hepatitis C Virus Envelope Glycoproteins: Residues Involved in E1E2 Heterodimerization and Involvement of These Domains in Virus Entry

The transmembrane (TM) domains of hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 have been shown to play multiple roles during the biogenesis of the E1E2 heterodimer. By using alanine scanning insertion mutagenesis within the TM domains of HCV envelope glycoproteins, we have previously shown that the central regions of these domains as well as the N-terminal part of the TM domain of E1 are involved in heterodimerization. Here, we used a tryptophan replacement scan of these regions to identify individual residues that participate in those interactions. Our mutagenesis study identified at least four residues involved in heterodimerization: Gly 354, Gly 358, Lys 370, and Asp 728. Interestingly, Gly 354 and Gly 358 belong to a GXXXG oligomerization motif. Our tryptophan mutants were also used to generate retrovirus-based, HCV-pseudotyped particles (HCVpp) in order to analyze the effects of these mutations on virus entry. Surprisingly, two mutants consistently displayed higher infectivity compared to that of the wild type. In contrast, HCVpp infectivity was strongly affected for many mutants, despite normal E1E2 heterodimerization and normal levels of incorporation of HCV glycoproteins into HCVpp. The characterization of some of these HCVpp mutants in the recently developed in vitro fusion assay using fluorescent-labeled liposomes indicated that mutations reducing HCVpp infectivity without altering E1E2 heterodimerization affected the fusion properties of HCV envelope glycoproteins. In conclusion, this mutational analysis identified residues involved in E1E2 heterodimerization and revealed that the TM domains of HCV envelope glycoproteins play a major role in the fusion properties of these proteins.

Functional Mapping of Hepatitis C Virus Envelope-Heparan Sulfate Interaction

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis world-wide. Although a detailed analysis of its genomic organization has led to the identification of various genetic elements, knowledge of receptor-mediated viral attachment and entry is still limited. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains on cell surface proteoglycans provide initial docking sites for the binding of viruses to target cells. Recently, we have shown that cellular binding of HCV envelope glycoprotein E2 requires heparan sulfate (HS) (Barth et al. 2003, J. Biol. Chem. 278: 41003). In this study, we aimed to (i) assess the role of E1 for viral envelope-HS interaction, (ii) define the structural requirements of HS-envelope binding and (iii) further determine the functional role of HS for viral binding and entry. Using soluble GAGs and FACS analysis, we demonstrate a HS-dependent binding of E1 to HuH–7 cells. HS-dependent cellular E1 binding was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance analysis demonstrating an interaction of E1 with heparin–a homologue of highly sulfated HS (KD E1: 7.5×10–7 M). Binding of envelope glycoproteins to HuH–7 cells and human hepatocytes was strongly inhibited by fully sulfated heparin, de–2-O- and de–6-O-sulfated heparin but not de-N-sulfated heparin indicating that N-sulfation of cell surface HS plays a crucial role in HCV envelope-target cell interaction. Using HS oligosaccharides in inhibition of E1/E2 binding studies, we demonstrate that a 14 saccharide subunit represents the minimal oligosaccharide required for envelope-HS interaction. Using retroviral HCV pseudotyped particles (HCVpp) as a model for viral binding and entry, we demonstrate that HCVpp binding to HuH–7 cells is strongly inhibited by pre-incubation of HCVpp with heparin, whereas temperature-dependent HCVpp entry is only partially inhibited by heparin. In conclusion, our data indicate that highly sulfated HS represents an important cell surface molecule mediating tissue-specific attachment of the viral envelope to hepatocytes. Envelope-HS interaction is mediated by both E1 and E2 envelope glycoproteins and a specific HS configuration that includes N-sulfate and a minimum of 14 saccharide subunits.

Cell Entry of Hepatitis C Virus Requires a Set of Co-receptors That Include the CD81 Tetraspanin and the SR-B1 Scavenger Receptor

Several cell surface molecules have been proposed as receptor candidates, mediating cell entry of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on the basis of their physical association with virions or with soluble HCV E2 glycoproteins. However, due to the lack of infectious HCV particles, evidence that these receptor candidates support infection was missing. Using our recently described infectious HCV pseudotype particles (HCVpp) that display functional E1E2 glycoprotein complexes, here we show that HCV is a pH-dependent virus, implying that its receptor component(s) mediate virion internalization by endocytosis. Expression of the CD81 tetraspanin in non-permissive CD81-negative hepato-carcinoma cells was sufficient to restore susceptibility to HCVpp infection, confirming its critical role as a cell attachment factor. As a cell surface molecule likely to mediate endosomal trafficking, we demonstrate that the human scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1), a high-density lipoprotein-internalization molecule that we previously proposed as a novel HCV receptor candidate due to its affinity with E2 glycoproteins, is required for infection of CD81-expressing hepatic cells. By receptor competition assays, we found that SR-B1 antibodies that blocked binding of soluble E2 could prevent HCVpp infectivity. Furthermore, we establish that the hyper-variable region 1 of the HCV E2 glycoprotein is a critical determinant mediating entry in SR-B1-positive cells. Finally, by correlating expression of HCV receptors and infectivity, we suggest that, besides CD81 and SR-B1, additional hepatocyte-specific co-factor(s) are necessary for HCV entry.