Cell culture systems for isolation of SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolates and generation of recombinant virus

Da Yuan Chen, Jacquelyn Turcinovic, Shuchen Feng, Devin J. Kenney, Chue Vin Chin, Manish C. Choudhary, Hasahn L. Conway, Marc Semaan, Brianna J. Close, Alexander H. Tavares, Scott Seitz, Nazimuddin Khan, Sebastian Kapell, Nicholas A. Crossland, Jonathan Z. Li, Florian Douam, Susan C. Baker, John H. Connor, Mohsan Saeed

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A simple and robust cell culture system is essential for generating authentic SARS-CoV-2 stocks for evaluation of viral pathogenicity, screening of antiviral compounds, and preparation of inactivated vaccines. Evidence suggests that Vero E6, a cell line commonly used in the field to grow SARS-CoV-2, does not support efficient propagation of new viral variants and triggers rapid cell culture adaptation of the virus. We generated a panel of 17 human cell lines overexpressing SARS-CoV-2 entry factors and tested their ability to support viral infection. Two cell lines, Caco-2/AT and HuH-6/AT, demonstrated exceptional susceptibility, yielding highly concentrated virus stocks. Notably, these cell lines were more sensitive than Vero E6 cells in recovering SARS-CoV-2 from clinical specimens. Further, Caco-2/AT cells provided a robust platform for producing genetically reliable recombinant SARS-CoV-2 through a reverse genetics system. These cellular models are a valuable tool for the study of SARS-CoV-2 and its continuously emerging variants.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number106634
JournaliScience
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 19 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Methodology in biological sciences
  • Virology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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