( ntists found evidence of HCV proteins a...)Scientists Replicate Hepatitis C Virus in Laboratory

ntists found evidence of HCV proteins and HCV RNA within the human liver cells in the culture. Electron microscopy showed evidence of high levels of viral particles resembling fully-formed HCV outside of the human liver cells in the culture medium. The researchers believe that the HCV construct contained within the human liver cells behaved like a true HCV infection by producing fully formed copies of the virus and releasing them from the host cell into the culture medium. Further testing is needed before the researchers can determine if the viral particles produced in this system are in fact infectious. Also, this system only represents the tail end of the viral life cycle ?viral replication, assembly and release from host cells. Another HCV model system is needed to show the beginning stages of the viral life cycle ?viral entry into host cells and viral activity in the host cell before replication.

“With this cell-based system, we can screen compounds with a cell-based assay to look for inhibitors of virus replication,?says Liang. “We can also apply this technique to develop model systems for other similar viruses.?/p>

HCV is a small, enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus in the family Flaviviridae. HCV is a major cause of liver disease in the United States and the world. One in a series of hepatitis viruses, HCV accounts for about 15 percent of acute hepatitis cases, 60 to 70 percent of chronic hepatitis cases, and up to 50 percent of cases of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and liver cancer. Almost 4 million Americans, or 1.8 percent of the U.S. population, have antibodies to HCV indicating ongoing or previous infection with the virus. Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 deaths each year in the United States are due to HCV.

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Source:NIH News


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