[In vitro study on Hep G2 cell infected by hepatitis C virus].
OBJECTIVE
To establish hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected cell model which is similar to the infection in vivo and can support HCV to replicate for a long time.


METHODS
After infected with HCV-positive serum, Hep G2 cells were cultured for 60 days. Nested RT-PCR was used to detect plus and minus HCV RNA in cultured cells and supernatants.


RESULTS
Plus HCV RNA was detected intermittently in Hep G2 cells during 2-30 days, minus HCV RNA was detected during 3-30 days after infection, the detection rate was similar to plus HCV RNA. Plus and minus HCV RNA can be still intermittently detected during 31-60 days after infection. However, the detection rate gradually declined. Plus HCV RNA was also found intermittently positive in the supernatant, and the detection rate was consistent to that in cells. Minus HCV RNA was not detected in the supernatant.


CONCLUSIONS
Hep G2 cells were susceptible to HCV, and could support HCV to replicate for a relatively long time. Hep G2 is an ideal HCV infection cell model.
Chen
Rui-lie
RL
Department of Infectious Diseases, Second People's Hospital, Shantou, 515011 China.
He
Yong-wen
YW
Gao
Yong
Y
Li
Shu-li
SL
Yang
Xiao-ming
XM
Luo
Duan-de
DD
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014779:Virus Replication
D012367:RNA, Viral