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

A simple and robust cell culture system is essential for generating authentic SARSpounds, 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 yielding highly concentrated virus stocks. Notably, these cell lines were more sensitive than Vero E6 cells in recovering SARS-CoV-2 from clinical specimens.

Automated summary

A simple and robust cell culture system is crucial for generating authentic SARSpounds and preparing inactivated vaccines. Vero E6, a commonly used cell line for growing SARS-CoV-2, is not efficient in supporting viral propagation of new variants and leads to rapid cell culture adaptation of the virus. We created a panel of 17 human cell lines overexpressing SARS-CoV-2 entry factors and tested their ability to support viral infection, with two cell lines yielding highly concentrated virus stocks. Interestingly, these cell lines were more sensitive than Vero E6 cells in recovering SARS-CoV-2 from clinical specimens.