Bovine viral diarrhea virus as a surrogate model of hepatitis C virus for the evaluation of antiviral agents

摘要: The identification and development of new antiviral agents that can be used to combat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been complicated by both technical logistic issues. There are few, if any, robust methods which HCV virions grown in vitro. RNA replicons a great breakthrough allowed for the undertaking significant screening efforts identify inhibitors intracellular replication. However, since do not undergo complete replication cycle, drug programs mechanism action studies based solely on these assays will compounds targeting either early (virion attachment, entry, uncoating) or late assembly, egress) stages viral cycle. Drugs negatively affect infectivity also identified using replicons. Bovine diarrhea (BVDV) shares similar structural organization with HCV, viruses generally cause chronic long-term infections their respective hosts. BVDV surrogate model is attractive, it virus-based system. It easy culture vitro, molecular clones available genetic studies, undergoes Like utilizes LDL receptor enter cells, uses functionally internal ribosome entry site (IRES) translation, an NS4A cofactor its homologous NS3 protease, helicase/NTPase, mechanistically NS5B RNA-dependent polymerase, seemingly equivalent virion maturation, assembly egress. While concordance between drugs active largely unknown at this time, remains popular system evaluated potential activity against action.