Human leukocyte antigen B27 selects for rare escape mutations that significantly impair hepatitis C virus replication and require compensatory mutations

Abstract

The selection of rare CTL escape mutations in this HLA-B27-restricted epitope dramatically impairs viral replicative fitness, unless properly compensated. These data support a role for the targeting of highly constrained regions by HLA-B27 in its ability to assert immune control of HCV and other highly variable pathogens.