| abstract |
The invention relates to the in vitro culture of non-A, non-B hepatitis viral cells (NANBH). Primary hepatocytes from a chimpanzee were isolated and cultured during the acute phase of experimental NANBH virus infection. The differentiated hepatocyte cell culture was maintained in a serum-free medium comprising Williams E medium, a hepatocyte proliferogen, transferrin, serum albumin, a corticosteroid, prolactin, a factor release of thyrotropin, a cholera toxin and ethanolamine. Cultured hepatocytes were found to be positive for the expression of a cytoplasmic antigen associated with NANBH. The presence of this cytoplasmic marker suggested the persistence of the infection in vitro. The production of infectious virus in vitro was confirmed by inoculating a culture of tissues infected with the NANBH virus and subsequently documenting the development of NANBH in the chimpanzee. |