Hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft supports HCV replication: A mouse model for evaluating antivirals

Figure 6 Intracellular hepatitis C virus RNA levels in subcutaneous tumors. A: RPA measuring intracellular hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels in hepatocellular xenografts formed subcutaneously. There was a gradual increase in HCV RNA levels in the subcutaneous tumors at 3, 7 and 14 d post-tumor development. Two weeks of interferon (IFN) treatment completely inhibited HCV RNA replication in the subcutaneous tumors, as demonstrated by a negative RPA signal at 14 d of IFN-α treatment; B: Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showing HCV RNA levels in the subcutaneous tumors before and after IFN-α treatment. IFN treatment decreased HCV RNA levels in the tumors, which remained below the detection limits after 2 wk.