Cytopathic replication of hepatitis C virus in a new cell line

Abstract

We have cloned human lymphoid cell lines that are susceptible to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and in which infection with HCV results in the development of cytopathic effects, including cell degeneration, induction of cell syncytia and cell death, as well as in the production of progeny virus. Infection was confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction, indirect immunofluorescence of viral antigens, and detection of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Progeny virus released from the infected cells into the medium could be serially passaged using the cell-free supernatant fluid as the inoculum. Also described are uses of the cloned cell lines for both intact cell and cell-free assay systems for the effectiveness of candidate anti-HCV drugs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.