Merat SJ, et al. - In order to assess the breadth of a polyclonal-serum antibody response, and or, the monoclonal antibodies against the different Hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 genotypes, authors here develop a quick and high throughput flow cytometry assay using fluorescent cell barcoding to distinguish cells transfected with different E1E2 sequences in a single measurement. They realize an additional utility of this assay in facilitating the discovery of novel antibodies, and because other flavi- and picornaviruses have similar intracellular assembly mechanisms, this approach can be used to study the antibody response against such viruses.

• Authors tested HCV-specific antibodies recognizing conformational epitopes for binding to cells transfected with E1E2 from six genotypes.
• In this assay, analysis of 1500 samples could be performed for specific binding to 6 different HCV E1E2 sequences within 8 h.
• They tested plasma of chronically infected HCV subjects in this assay that allowed them to determine the breadth of their antibody response.