Functional analysis of claudin-6 and claudin-9 as entry factors for hepatitis C virus infection of human hepatocytes by using monoclonal antibodies

  • J Virol. 2013 Sep;87(18):10405-10. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01691-13.
Isabel Fofana  1 ,  Laetitia Zona ,  Christine Thumann ,  Laura Heydmann ,  Sarah C Durand ,  Joachim Lupberger ,  Hubert E Blum ,  Patrick Pessaux ,  Claire Gondeau ,  Gary M Reynolds ,  Jane A McKeating ,  Fritz Grunert ,  John Thompson ,  Mirjam B Zeisel ,  Thomas F Baumert
Affiliations
  • 1. Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France.
PMID: 23864633 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01691-13
Abstract

The relevance of claudin-6 and claudin-9 in hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry remains elusive. We produced claudin-6- or claudin-9-specific monoclonal antibodies that inhibit HCV entry into nonhepatic cells expressing exogenous claudin-6 or claudin-9. These antibodies had no effect on HCV Infection of hepatoma cells or primary hepatocytes. Thus, although claudin-6 and claudin-9 can serve as entry factors in cell lines, HCV Infection into human hepatocytes is not dependent on claudin-6 and claudin-9.