The cell cultures in virology: from the past to the future

Abstract

The aim of the review is to give a brief characteristic of cell cultures obtained from mammalian tissues and to consider the current possibilities and prospects for their use in virology. The analysis of the literature data presented in the main databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Google Scholar and RSCI (as of July 2023), indicates that various types of cell cultures are currently used in virological studies. The use of cell culture has a number of advantages over other in vitro and in vivo methods of virological research. The review provides numerous examples on the development of new methods of obtaining cell cultures for the cultivation of viruses. Among them are sensitive and reporter cell systems, the design of which can be a promising tool for diagnostics of existing and new unknown viral infections. Cell cultures are characterized as potential in vitro models in virology for developing new diagnostic test-systems and antiviral drugs. An important area of cell cultures application is their use as a substrate for the production of culture-derived vaccines. Another aspect of the cell cultures application is also highlighted, such as the study of the effect of the viruses on the host immune system or the mechanisms of immunopathogenesis of viral infections. It is concluded that the use of cell cultures remains currently and in the near future one of the most important methods in practical virology and in scientific research.