title: HCV animal models and liver disease.
abstract: The development and evaluation of effective therapies and vaccines for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the study of its interactions with the mammalian host have been hindered for a long time by the absence of suitable small animal models. Due to the narrow host tropism of HCV, the development of mice that can be robustly engrafted with human hepatocytes was a major breakthrough since they recapitulate the complete HCV life cycle. This model has been useful to investigate many aspects of the HCV life cycle, including antiviral interventions. However, studies of cellular immunity, immunopathogenesis and resulting liver diseases have been hampered by the lack of a small animal model with a functional immune system. In this review, we summarize the evolution of in vivo models for the study of HCV.
authors.affiliation: Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vercauteren
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA; Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Ype P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.affiliation: Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium. Electronic address: Philip.meuleman@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meuleman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D064593:Heterografts; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D051381:Rats; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014417:Tupaia; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014765:Viral Vaccines
keywords: Animal models; Antiviral therapy; Pathology; Viral hepatitis