Potential utility of GB virus type C as a preventive vaccine for HIV-1

Abstract

Recent flurries of literature on the beneficial effects of GB virus type C (GBV-C), a hepatitis C-related virus, in HIV-1 coinfected individuals have raised the possibility of its potential use as a preventive vaccine in people with a high risk for HIV-1. However, these findings are still controversial, and the mechanisms contributing to the apparent beneficial effects of GBV-C are still unresolved. Researchers debate whether the beneficial effects of coinfection of GBV-C in HIV-1-infected individuals are due to GBV-C viremia or rather the presence of GBV-C anti-E2 antibodies. We review the strengths and weaknesses of various aspects of the GBV-C debate and propose a new perspective involving intracellular molecular events that attempts to synthesize numerous contrasting perspectives and ideas, while suggesting new directions for future research in this area.

Keywords::

• anti-E2 antibodies
• antiretroviral therapy
• CD4+ T cells
• CD8+ T cells
• Flaviviridae
• GBV-C
• HCV
• HIV-1
• survival

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or mater ials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.