Characteristics of an antibody profile associated with protection against hepatitis C virus reinfection in a high-risk cohort.

Broad, potent Fc-mediated antibody functions and neutralization are linked to protection against hepatitis C virus reinfection in high-risk MSM, with 9 out of 18 non-reinfected individuals showing responses.

• Why it matters: Understanding immune profiles that confer natural protection can inform vaccine development to prevent HCV reinfection, especially in high-risk populations like MSM.
• What they did: The study analyzed serum antibody responses against HCV's E1E2 glycoprotein at two time points in 13 reinfected and 18 non-reinfected HIV-positive MSM, using latent profile analysis to identify immune subgroups.
• The result: A specific antibody profile characterized by moderate to high levels of E1E2-binding antibodies and FcγR/C1q engagement correlated with the lowest reinfection rates, highlighting targets for effective vaccines.