Figure 5.

Hepatitis C virus compartmentalization. Generation of multiple HCV subpopulations is color coded. Releasing of different subpopulation to circulation and infection of PBMC is also depicted. Antibodies elicited against different HCV subpopulation is also shown throughout time. However, the generation of neutralizing antibodies is delayed and gives opportunity for arisen of new viral subpopulations and subsequent infection of PBMC. In turn, infection in PBMC facilitates vertical transmission of HCV. PBMC: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; HCV: Hepatitis C virus.