Study of Hepatitis C Virus Direct Pathogenesis on SMMC 7721 in Vitro

Objective, To investigate the direct pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods: After SMMC 7721 cells were infected by HCV positive serum, the change of cell's conformation was observed. RT-PCR, MTT and flow cytometry(FCM) were used to detect HCV RNA, the rate of cell livability and apotosis. Results: After HCV infected SMMC 7721, parts of cells wrinkled and fell off from the wall of the culture bottle. Although cell persistence was 74. 2% and the rate of cell apotosis was 18. 7% in 8h, the former was up to more than 84. 3% and the latter was down to less than 7. 4% after 56h. Contrasting with SMMC 7721 cells not infected by HCV, cell persistence was significantly lower, and the rate of cell apotosis was significantly higher in each time group. Plus and minus strand HCV RNA was negative at 24h, positive after 48h or 96h, while minus strand HCV RNA become negative after 96h. Conclusions HCV has definite direct pathogenesis. HCV replication in SMMC 7721 is not steady.