Inhibition of subgenomic hepatitis C virus RNA replication in HeLa cells

Background/Aims: Antiviral therapy such as combination interferon and ribavirin can eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA by up to 40-50%. However, many patients still remain non-responders to this treatment for various reasons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interferon or ribavirin treatment on subgenomic HCV RNA replication in, 'non-hepatic' HeLa cells. Methodology: Huh-7 or HeLa cells harboring HCV replicon were constructed by using cellular RNA of Huh-7 harboring HCV replicon RNAs, named as C13-3 cells. We also tested whether interferon or ribavirin can suppress HCV RNA in HeLa cells. Results: Huh-7 or HeLa cells harboring HCV replicon RNAs were constructed by using cellular RNA of C13-3 cells than using in vitro-transcribed RNA. Ribavirin at 1 mu g/mL or 10 mu g/mL did not suppress colony formation in HeLa cells, but at 100 mu g/ml, suppression was observed. Interferon-alpha 2b suppressed HCV replication even at 1 U/mL. Conclusions: HeLa cells harboring HCV replicon RNAs also might be useful for the development of antiviral drugs.