Why hepatitis C stays in the body long-term
Viral Determinants of Chronic Hepacivirus Infection
Researchers are looking at parts of the hepatitis C virus to learn how it hides from the immune system and leads to long-term infection so future treatments can prevent or reverse chronic hepatitis C.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11331255 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a hepatitis C–like virus found in rodents to pinpoint viral genes that let the virus persist. Scientists will adapt and compare virus variants in mice and rats and study how those changes affect immune responses, especially T cells and interferon signaling. The team aims to build a better animal model that mimics lifelong human hepatitis C infection so new therapies and vaccines can be tested. The work focuses on viral genome regions that may block or alter the immune response and promote chronic infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with chronic hepatitis C are the group most likely to benefit from and eventually qualify for clinical trials informed by this research.
Not a fit: People without hepatitis C or whose liver disease is caused by other conditions may not see direct benefits from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify viral targets and a testing model that speed development of treatments or vaccines to prevent or cure chronic hepatitis C.
How similar studies have performed: Related animal-model work has given useful insights but has not yet produced a broadly useful model of long-term human hepatitis C, so this approach is relatively novel and aims to overcome known limitations.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, United States
- Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kapoor, Amit — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Kapoor, Amit
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.