Cross-genotype AR3-specific neutralizing antibodies confer long-term protection in injecting drug users after HCV clearance

•HCV clearance is associated with a high number of cross-genotype specific antibodies. •Antigenic region 3 (AR3) is the dominant epitope recognized by the antibodies. •AR3-specific antibodies neutralized HCV pseudoparticles and cell culture viruses. •A large number of clearers develop antibodies targeting antigenic region 4 (AR4). •AR4-specific antibody AT1618 also neutralized neutralization-resistant variants. Background & Aims In order to...