Cell Culture of a Swine Genotype 4 Hepatitis E Virus Strain

J Med Virol. 2024 Nov;96(11):e70031. doi: 10.1002/jmv.70031.

Abstract

HEV infection has become a global health concern. The study of HEV pathogenicity has been hindered by the lack of a suitable in vitro culture system. In the present research, we systematic demonstration of efficient replication of swine GT4 HEV in A549 cells, Huh-7 cells, and HepG2/C3A cell lines. The results of the immunofluorescence assay and immunofluorescence confocal assay showed that swine GT4 HEV is efficiently replicated in three cell lines at 72 h postinoculation. Meanwhile, we also detected the virus titer quantified were increased at 2-, 6,- and 11-days postinoculation. Moreover, we successfully observed HEV virus particles in the cell suspension at 6 days postinoculation. This finding holds significance for advancing in vitro HEV studies.

Keywords: GT4; cell culture; hepatitis E virus; swine.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Line
  • Genotype*
  • Hepatitis E / virology
  • Hepatitis E virus* / classification
  • Hepatitis E virus* / genetics
  • Hepatitis E virus* / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / virology
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Cultivation
  • Virus Replication*