Literature Search Strategy:
A systematic search was conducted on PubMed and Semantic Scholar from January 2019 to January 2024 to identify relevant literature on HCV envelope proteins E1 and E2. Initially, systematic reviews and reviews published within the last five years (2019–2023) were reviewed using search terms such as "HCV," "non-a, non-b hepatitis," "hepatitis C," "E1E2," and "envelope protein in HCV." Due to limited results, the search was extended to include articles published within the past ten years (2014–2024), and individual articles were examined for inclusion.
Data Sources:
PubMed and Semantic Scholar were selected as primary data sources due to their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed scientific literature across various disciplines. To further enhance the comprehensiveness of the literature search and ensure inclusivity of relevant studies, the AI-powered research engine, Elicit, was utilized. Elicit employs advanced algorithms to streamline the search process and identify papers that specifically mention monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibodies (Abs) targeting the HCV envelope proteins E1 and E2. This step aimed to mitigate the risk of overlooking potentially relevant articles and to maximize the scope of the literature review. Connected Papers utilizes citation networks to identify papers that are frequently referenced together or are thematically related. By leveraging this interconnectedness of scientific literature, the platform assists in uncovering potentially overlooked studies and ensuring a comprehensive review of the literature.
Inclusion Criteria:
The inclusion criteria focused on articles discussing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antibodies (Abs) specific to HCV envelope proteins E1 and E2. Only studies conducted in a human context were included, while those involving non-human animals were excluded as they fell outside the scope of the paper.
Data Organization:
Data extracted from the selected articles were organized using Microsoft Excel. The information was structured based on amino acids to facilitate the analysis and comparison of mAbs and Abs targeting E1 and E2 proteins. Later these regions were highlighted as seen in the visualizations to see the sites where these antibodies attach.
Exclusion Criteria:
Antibodies derived from non-human animals were systematically excluded from the dataset to maintain focus on human-relevant data and align with the paper's objectives.