An Autoantibody Cross-Reactive to Hepatitis C Virus Core and a Host Nuclear Antigen

Abstract

GOR¹, an epitope borne by the amino acid sequence, GRRGQKAKSNPNRPL, is recognized by anti-GOR antibodies specifically found in patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH). The epitope is not coded for by the hepatitis C virus² (HCV), the presumed causative agent for NANBH, but by a single copy gene of the host. Anti-GOR antibodies, distinct from anti-HCV (c 100–3) antibodies³, were revealed to have dual specificities; they target both the presumed core gene product of HCV and a host component. This cross recognition is probably derived from homologous regions between the GOR epitope and a viral epitope on the core protein in HCV. It is therefore suggested that anti-GOR is an autoantibody induced by HCV infection. This may explain the autoimmune disease like aspect of NANBH pathogenesis.

Key Words:

• GOR
• epitope
• hepatitis C virus
• non-A
• non-B hepatitis
• autoantibody
• molecular mimicry