Table 1.
Cell culture models susceptible for HBV and HDV infection. The respective model systems and their key advantages and limitations are shown.
| Advantages | Limitations | |
|---|---|---|
| PHH | Natural host of the virus | Limited infection efficacy and replication |
| Exhibit hepatic functions | Limited supply | |
| Most physiological | High donor-to-donor variability | |
| PTH | Available from animals bred in-house | Limited infection efficacy and replication |
| Allow more reproducible infections than PHH | Non-human cells | |
| HepaRG cell line | Exhibit some hepatic functions | Requires differentiation |
| Delicate culture conditions | ||
| Limited infection efficacy | ||
| HepG2-NTCP cell line | High reproducibility | Only partially mimic hepatocytes |
| Easy access/supply | High MOIs and PEG required for infection | |
| Efficient and more robust viral infection | Absent spread, very limited cccDNA synthesis |
PHH: primary human hepatocytes; PTH: primary Tupaia hepatocytes; PEG: polyethylene glycol; MOI: multiplicity of infection; cccDNA: covalently closed circular DNA.