[Replication and expression of recombinant hepatitis C virus in a human liver cancer cell line 7721 in vitro].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether recombinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) is capable of long-term replication in vivo in susceptible cells.


METHODS
A human liver cell line 7721 was infected with recombinant HCV and after 72-hour incubation, the presence of HCV RNA in the cells and the supernatant were detected by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR. The expression of HCV antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry and observed by confocal laser scanning microscope.


RESULTS
The plus and minus strands of HCV RNA were detected in the infected cells and the plus strand in the supernatant 72 h after infection. Expressions of HCV core antigens and E1 antigens were found within the cytoplasm.


CONCLUSIONS
The recombinant HCV can replicate in 7721 cell line in vitro and this HCV infection model can be useful for studying the mechanism of HCV infection and replication.
Zhou
Zhi-Tao
ZT
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Wu
Ying-Song
YS
Li
Ming
M
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D014779:Virus Replication
D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral