Enhancement of Infection of HepG2 Cells in Culture by Predigestion of Hepadnavirus with V8 Protease.

In this chapter, a method for infecting HepG2 cells with human hepatitis B virus (HBV) and woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) is reviewed. This chapter provides a step-wise, experimentally sensitive description of how to perform the protease infectivity assay. The assay is highly technical and sensitive to certain cell culture and virological steps. Therefore, essential technical points are emphasized, to assist the experimentalist as much as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]