title: Serum-derived hepatitis C virus 1a infection of human astrocyte cell line SVG.
abstract: Neuroinvasion of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is evidenced by recent clinical studies. In this study, serum-derived HCV infection of astrocytes was analysed. Astrocytes were infected with HCV-positive serum, and viral replication was assessed on different days postinfection. RT-PCR was positive for HCV-negative strand on 5th and 7th day postinfection in the HCV-positive serum-infected astrocytes. Real-time RNA count in the cell culture supernatant was steadily increasing from day 3 to day 7. To reconfirm the viral replication, astrocytes were treated with an antiviral before the serum infection, and the antiviral treatment significantly reduced the viral RNA count. Further, the virus-infected cells stained positive for the presence of viral core protein. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of HCV-like particles in the astrocyte cell culture supernatant. In conclusion, serum-derived HCV replicates in human astrocyte cell line SVG.
authors.affiliation: L & T Microbiology Research Centre, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, 600006, India.|Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA, Thanjavur, 612001, India.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rajalakshmy
authors.affiliation: L & T Microbiology Research Centre, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, 600006, India.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malathi
authors.affiliation: L & T Microbiology Research Centre, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, 600006, India.
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Madhavan
mesh_terms: D001253:Astrocytes / Q000821:virology*; D003470:Culture Media; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D044967:Serum / Q000821:virology; D056189:Viral Tropism; D014771:Virion / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014776:Virus Cultivation; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D012367:RNA, Viral
keywords: astrocytes; hepatitis C virus; immunofluorescence; neuroinflammation; polymerase chain reaction; viral replication