Stable expression and  integrated hepatitis B virus genome in a human hepatoma cell line.
HepG2.2.15  cell is a widely used cell model for studying HBV (hepatitis B virus) in  vitro. In these cells, the HBV genome is integrated in several sites of  HepG2 cellular DNA. These multiple copies may have some influence on the  cellular processes. We constructed a new plasmid, pSEH-Flag-HBV, and  transfected it into HepG2 cells, and then screened it with hygromycin. We then  used ELISA, PCR, and RT-PCR to detect the expression of HBV in these cell  lines. A cell line that stably expressed hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and  hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was established. Using Southern blotting  analysis, we found that the HBV genome was integrated as a single copy in the  cellular DNA. This cell line will be a useful alternative model for HBV  studies.
Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
L Y
LY
Wang
Y G
YG
Li
K
K
Chen
K
K
Li
J L
JL
Qu
D D
DD
Qin
H
H
Tang
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology*; D016679:Genome, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens