Real-time imaging of hepatitis C virus infection using a fluorescent cell-based reporter system.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which infects 2-3% of the world population, is a causative agent of chronic hepatitis and the leading indication for liver transplantation. The ability to propagate HCV in cell culture (HCVcc) is a relatively recent breakthrough and a key tool in the quest for specific antiviral therapeutics. Monitoring HCV infection in culture generally involves bulk population assays, use of genetically modified viruses and/or terminal processing of potentially precious samples. Here we develop a cell-based fluorescent reporter system that allows sensitive distinction of individual HCV-infected cells in live or fixed samples. We demonstrate use of this technology for several previously intractable applications, including live-cell imaging of viral propagation and host response, as well as visualizing infection of primary hepatocyte cultures. Integration of this reporter with modern image-based analysis methods could open new doors for HCV research.
Jones
Christopher T
CT
Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA.
Catanese
Maria Teresa
MT
Law
Lok Man J
LM
Khetani
Salman R
SR
Syder
Andrew J
AJ
Ploss
Alexander
A
Oh
Thomas S
TS
Schoggins
John W
JW
MacDonald
Margaret R
MR
Bhatia
Sangeeta N
SN
Rice
Charles M
CM
D003199:Computer Systems; D017930:Genes, Reporter / Q000235:genetics*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D013194:Staining and Labeling