CELL LINES HARBORING HEPATITIS VIRUS AND METHODS FOR USING THEREOF

摘要

The present invention relates to cryopreserved primary hepatocytes infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which, when thawed and cultured, are capable of being infected with and releasing infectious HCV. The present invention also relates to methods of producing primary cryopreserved hepatocytes infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), wherein the HCV-infected primary hepatocytes are capable of releasing new infectious HCV. The present invention also relates to methods of using HCV-infected primary hepatocytes to screen drug candidates for their ability to affect HCV infection and/or replication. The invention also relates to methods of producing infectious HCV in vitro and methods of using this infectious HCV such as, but not limited to, preparing vaccines directed towards HCV, its receptor or virus-receptor intermediate states.