Figure 4.

EU IgG fails to compete with conformational antibodies to known epitopes on gt 1a E2. IgGs from individuals with neutralizing ability in the HCV pp system were selected for testing by competition ELISA to determine competitive binding with monoclonal antibodies to known conformational epitopes on E2 (Table S1). Samples from chronically infected individuals (CHCV) with known neutralizing activity were also included as positive controls. Percentage reduction in absorbance of the monoclonal antibodies was calculated and plotted. Significant competition would be expected at a level of 50% inhibition