Highly Efficient Infectious Cell Culture of Three Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2B Strains and Sensitivity to Lead Protease, Nonstructural Protein 5A, and Polymerase Inhibitors

Abstract

Highly efficient HCV full-length 2b culture systems can be established by using consensus clones with defined mutations. Lead protease and NS5A inhibitors, as well as polymerase inhibitors sofosbuvir, mericitabine, and BI207127, show cross-activity against full-length 1a, 2a, and 2b viruses, but important sensitivity differences exist at the isolate level. Infectious cultures for different HCV strains will advance studies on viral biology and pathogenesis and promote individualized patient treatment.