HCV replicon cell growth during treatment with various concentrations of IFN-α. HCV replicon cells were incubated with various concentrations of IFN-α for 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 9 days. Fresh IFN-α was added to the medium every 12 h. Cells were trypsinized and counted at indicated time points posttreatment. Cell number, expressed as relative confluence of the culture, was assessed as an indicator of relative cell growth rates.