HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells are a non-permissive system for B19 virus infection.
Parvovirus B19 has been associated with liver dysfunction and has been considered a potential aetiological agent of fulminant hepatitis and hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia. The possible effects of B19 virus infection on the liver have been investigated using HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells as a model system, but the reported results are inconsistent. To investigate this relationship further, this study followed the course of B19 virus infection of HepG2 cells in terms of viral DNA, RNA and protein production by quantitative PCR, RT-PCR and immunofluorescence assays. The data showed that B19 virus is able to bind and possibly enter HepG2 cells, but that viral genome replication or transcription is not supported and that viral proteins are not produced. As far as HepG2 cells can be considered a representative model system, any possible pathogenic role of B19 virus on the liver cannot be ascribed to infection or to a direct cytopathic effect on hepatocytes.
Bonvicini
Francesca
F
Department of Microbiology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Filippone
Claudia
C
Department of Microbiology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Manaresi
Elisabetta
E
Department of Microbiology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Zerbini
Marialuisa
M
Department of Microbiology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Musiani
Monica
M
Department of Microbiology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Gallinella
Giorgio
G
Department of Microbiology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods; D014779:Virus Replication
D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins