The role of neutralising antibodies in hepatitis C virus infection

丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）是世界上大多数地区肝病的主要病原体。大多数新感染变成慢性，这些人患进行性肝病的风险很高。然而，少数人（20%）解决了他们的感染，并将HCV清除到无法检测的水平。我们感兴趣的是研究区分这些个体与病毒持续存在的个体的免疫参数。我们将研究抗体的作用，这些抗体具有结合病毒和防止肝脏内新细胞感染的潜力。本提案中与临床直接相关的研究结果将通过当地媒体的采访和MRC网站向公众翻译。

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major etiological agent of liver disease in most regions of the world. The majority of new infections become chronic and these individuals are at high risk for developing progressive liver disease. However, a minority of individuals (20%) resolve their infection and clear HCV to undetectable levels. We are interested in studying the immune parameters that distinguish these individuals from those where the virus persists. We will study the role of antibodies that have the potential to bind virus and prevent infection of new cells within the liver. Research findings from this proposal with immediate clinical relevance will be translated to the general public by interviews with the local press and through the MRC web site.