Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Growing Magnetotactic Bacteria of the Genus Magnetospirillum: Strains MSR-1, AMB-1 and MS-1
Published on: October 17, 2018
Cell Culture Systems of HCV Using JFH-1 and Other Strains
1National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is seen worldwide and is a significant cause of severe chronic liver diseases. Recently, a large number of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been developed against HCV infection, resulting in significant improvements in treatment efficacy. Rapid progress in HCV research has been largely dependent on the development of HCV culture systems and small animal infection models. In the development of HCV cell culture systems, the discovery of the JFH-1 clone, an HCV strain isolated from a fulminant hepatitis C patient, was a key finding. The JFH-1 strain was the first infectious HCV strain belonging to genotype 2a. JFH-1 replicated efficiently in cultured cell lines without acquiring adaptive mutations, providing the secretion of infectious viral particles into the culture medium. Recently, other HCV strains also were reported to be infectious in cultured cells with adaptive viral mutations, but genotype-1b infectious HCV clones and virus culture systems for clinical isolates are still missing. These infectious HCV systems have provided powerful tools to study the viral life cycle, to construct antiviral strategies, and to develop effective vaccines.
Insights
The discovery of the JFH-1 Hepatitis C virus (HCV) clone enabled efficient cell culture systems. This breakthrough aids in developing new antiviral strategies and vaccines for HCV infection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health concern causing chronic liver disease.
- Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have improved HCV treatment efficacy.
- HCV research progress relies on effective cell culture and animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of the JFH-1 clone in developing HCV culture systems.
- To discuss the limitations in current HCV culture systems, particularly for genotype-1b.
- To emphasize the utility of infectious HCV systems in advancing antiviral research.
Main Methods:
- Discovery and characterization of the JFH-1 clone, an infectious genotype 2a HCV strain.
- Utilizing cell culture systems for HCV replication and viral particle secretion.
- Reporting on other infectious HCV strains requiring adaptive mutations.
Main Results:
- The JFH-1 clone demonstrated efficient replication and infectious particle secretion in cell lines without adaptive mutations.
- Subsequent HCV strains were found to be infectious in cell culture with adaptive mutations.
- Infectious genotype-1b HCV clones and clinical isolate culture systems remain unavailable.
Conclusions:
- The JFH-1 clone was pivotal for establishing functional HCV cell culture systems.
- Existing infectious HCV systems are crucial for studying viral replication, designing antiviral therapies, and vaccine development.
- Further development is needed for genotype-1b and clinical isolate HCV culture systems.
Related Concept Videos
10:07Growing Magnetotactic Bacteria of the Genus Magnetospirillum: Strains MSR-1, AMB-1 and MS-1
10:11Cell Co-culture Patterning Using Aqueous Two-phase Systems
08:32Culturing and Manipulation of O9-1 Neural Crest Cells
06:54Rotating Cell Culture Systems for Human Cell Culture: Human Trophoblast Cells as a Model
12:21Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains
06:06Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/43