How hepatitis C adapts to other species to help develop vaccines
Genetic Viral and Host Adaptations to Breach Species Barriers of HCV
Researchers are making a mouse-friendly version of hepatitis C so scientists can better test vaccines and understand the virus for people living with or at risk of hepatitis C.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11469762 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to create an immunocompetent mouse model of hepatitis C by using a newly identified murine-adapted virus called Mad18. Scientists will study the viral and host genetic changes that let HCV overcome species barriers using primary murine hepatocytes and whole-animal experiments. The model will be used to explore how chronic infection and liver disease develop and to try vaccine approaches in a system that more closely mimics human immune responses. The team combines molecular biology, virology, and immunology methods to map those barriers and test whether vaccine candidates trigger protective immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although the current work is preclinical, future related trials would recruit adults with chronic hepatitis C or people at high risk of HCV exposure for vaccine testing.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for hepatitis C or those not at risk of HCV exposure should not expect direct or near-term benefit from this animal-model research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could speed development of preventive hepatitis C vaccines and improve tools to reduce new infections and long-term liver damage.
How similar studies have performed: Direct-acting antiviral drugs already cure most hepatitis C infections, but creating a robust small-animal model is relatively novel and builds on recent successes with murine-adapted viral variants.
Where this research is happening
Princeton, UNITED STATES
- Princeton University — Princeton, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ploss, Alexander — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Ploss, Alexander
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.