A Novel Immunocompetent Rat Model of HCV Infection and Hepatitis

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects millions of people worldwide. Therapy is limited, and treatment does not produce a sustained response in the majority of patients. Development of new agents has been hampered by the lack of a convenient animal model. The aim of this study was to determine whether an immunocompetent rat, tolerized and transplanted with a human hepatoma cell line (Huh 7 cells), could be used to sustain an HCV infection. Methods: Fetal rats were tolerized in utero with 105 Huh 7 cells. One day after birth, rats were transplanted with 5 × 106 Huh 7 cells and, a week later, inoculated with HCV, genotype 1. Results: In tolerized, transplanted, and HCV-infected rats, Huh 7 cells were found in the liver, and HCV viral replication was detected by the presence of negative strand HCV RNA. HCV levels in serum were measured at 11,000 copies/mL at week 4, peaked at 22,500 copies/mL by week 12. In tolerized, transplanted, inoculated rats, but not controls, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values increased to 60 IU/L by week 4 and reached a peak of approximately 120 IU/L by week 13. Histology showed foci of mononuclear infiltrates in portal and central regions. Conclusions: HCV-inoculated immunocompetent rats tolerized and transplanted with Huh 7 cells support HCV gene expression, viral replication, and develop biochemical and histologic evidence of hepatitis.