Plasmodium berghei: susceptibility and growth characteristics of hepatoma cells as hosts for malaria schizonts.

Three different human hepatoma cell lines (Hep G2, London; Hep G2, Brussels; Mahlavu) have been compared with respect to susceptibility for in vitro infection with Plasmodium berghei sporozoites and subsequent development of mature schizonts and infectious merozoites. The results were very different, even with host cells derived from the same parent line. Both Hep G2 lines were able to function as host cells, but the Mahlavu line was completely refractory. Hep G2 (London) was even more susceptible than the Hep G2-A16 clone. Hepatoma cells harbouring young exoerythrocytic forms permitted their development to mature schizonts and production of merozoites inside the intraperitoneal cavity of OF1 mice. Pronounced differences in growth parameters of subpopulations of Hep G2 cells were stated as well. Optimal conditions for in vitro culture of the most suitable cell line were identified. Finally, the seeding, plating and cloning efficiencies were determined.