【Abstract】 To study the expression of HCV non structure 5 antigen in vitro , a human HepG2 cell line was incubated with a HCV RNA positive serum. The SABC immunological techniques and gold labeled colloid electron microscopy method were employed to examine for the viral proteins in those cells. The HCV non structure 5 antigen was first detected in the HepG2 cells at 72 hours post incubation. The antigen was continuously observed in the cytoplasm or on the membrane as well on the cell wall of the HepG2 cells even after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks post incubation. The observation of HCV non structure 5 antigen continuously expressed in the HepG2 cells strongly indicates that the cells may have been infected by HCV virus and the virus may have replicated in the cells. Therefore, the HepG2 cell line may be served as a potential host for establishment of HCV infection and propagation in vitro .更多还原