In vitro infection of human liver cancer cell line HepG2 with HCV
Song, Z.-q.; Hao, F.; Ma, Q.-y.; Wang, Y.-m.
Zhonghua Shi Yan he Lin Chuang Bing du Xue Za Zhi 17(1): 77-80
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1003-9279 PMID: 12870026 Document Number: 552893
To test susceptibility of human liver cell line Hep G2 to HCV in vitro. Hep G2 was cultivated with the serum from a chronic hepatitis C patient. After inoculation, plus and minus strand of HCV RNA, the expression of HCV NS3 antigen and the location of HCV RNA in cell and/or supernatant were examined by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively. HCV RNA could be detected from day 2 to day 40 post-inoculation in both cell and supernatant. HCV NS3 antigen could be expressed in infected cells and HCV RNA was mainly situated within cytoplasm. The results suggested that HepG2 cell line was not only susceptible to HCV but also could support its replication in vitro.