Hepatitis C virus infection of human hepatoma cell line 7721 in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To establish a cell culture system with long-term replication of hepatitis C virus in vitro.


METHODS
Human hepatoma cell line 7721 was tested for its susceptibility to HCV by incubating with a serum from a patient with chronic hepatitis C. Cells and supernatant were harvested at various phases during the culturing periods. The presence of HCV RNA, the expression of HCV antigens in cells and/or supernatant were examined by RTPCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry respectively.


RESULTS
The intracellular HCV RNA was first detected on d2 after infection and then could be intermittently detected in both cells and supernatant over a period of at least three months. The expression of HCV NS3,CP10 antigens could be observed in cells. The fresh cells could be infected by supernatant from cultured infected cells and the transmission of viral genome from HCV-infected 7721 cells to PBMCs was also observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The hepatoma line 7721 is not only susceptible to HCV but also supports its long-term replication in vitro.
Song
Z Q
ZQ
Department of Dermatology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China. songzq@yeah.net
Hao
F
F
Min
F
F
Ma
Q Y
QY
Liu
G D
GD
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; D002455:Cell Division; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms; D010641:Phenotype; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000821:virology; D014779:Virus Replication
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral