Hepatitis C virus infection of neuroepithelioma cell lines

Fletcher, N. F. et al. (2010) Hepatitis C virus infection of neuroepithelioma cell lines. Gastroenterology, 139(4), 1365-1374.e2. (doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2010.06.008) (PMID:20538002) (PMCID:PMC3298458)

Abstract

Background & aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) establishes chronic infections in 3% of the world's population. Infection leads to progressive liver disease; hepatocytes are the major site of viral replication in vivo. However, chronic infection is associated with a variety of extrahepatic syndromes, including central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. We therefore screened a series of neural and brain-derived cell lines for their ability to support HCV entry and replication. Methods: We used a panel of neural-derived cell lines, HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp), and an infectious, HCV JFH-1 cell-culture system (HCVcc) to assess viral tropism. Results: Two independently derived neuroepithelioma cell lines (SK-N-MC and SK-PN-DW) permitted HCVpp entry. In contrast, several neuroblastoma, glioma, and astrocytoma cell lines were refractory to HCVpp infection. HCVcc infected the neuroepithelioma cell lines and established a productive infection. Permissive neuroepithelioma cells expressed CD81, scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI), and the tight junction proteins Claudin-1 (CLDN1) and occludin, whereas nonpermissive neural cell lines lacked CLDN1 and, in some cases, SR-BI. HCVpp infection of the neuroepithelioma cells was neutralized by antibodies to CD81, SR-BI, CLDN1, and HCV E2. Furthermore, anti-CD81, interferon, and the anti-NS3 protease inhibitor VX-950 significantly reduced HCVcc infection of neuroepithelioma and hepatoma cells. Conclusions: Neuroepithelioma-derived cell lines express functional receptors that support HCV entry at levels comparable to those of hepatoma cells. HCV infection in vitro is not restricted to hepatic-derived cells, so HCV might infect cells of the CNS in vivo.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Davis, Dr Chris
• Authors: Fletcher, N. F., Yang, J. P., Farquhar, M. J., Hu, K., Davis, C., He, Q., Dowd, K., Ray, S. C., Krieger, S. E., Neyts, J., Baumert, T. F., Balfe, P., McKeating, J. A., and Wong–Staal, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Gastroenterology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0016-5085
• ISSN (Online): 1528-0012
• Published Online: 09 June 2010