title: In vitro expression of hepatitis C virus non-structure 5 antigen in the HepG2 cell line.
abstract: To establish a cell line as a model system for HCV infection and propagation in vitro, a human HepG2 cell line was incubated with a HCV RNA positive serum. The sABC immunological techniques and gold-labeled colloid electron microscopy method were employed to examine the viral proteins in those cells. The HCV non-structure 5 antigen was first detected in the HepG2 cells 72 h after incubation. The antigen was continuously observed in the cytoplasm as well on the membrane of the HepG2 cells even after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after incubation. The observation of HCV non-structure 5 antigen continuously expressed in the HepG2 cells strongly indicates that the cells may have been infected by HCV virus. Therefore, the HepG2 cell line may serve as a potential host for establishment of HCV infection and propagation in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease, Xiehe Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan 430022.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D014162:Transfection; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
chemical_list: D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; C087036:NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase