F/ARFP detection in human liver samples and concentration-dependent suppression of IFN response by F/ARFP.

Abstract

<p>(A) Huh7 cells transfected with pEF, pCoreΔ4, or pFΔ (2 μg each) and HCV-infected and HCV–uninfected human liver samples (n = 3 for infected, n = 2 for uninfected) were analyzed for HCV core and F/ARFP proteins by immunofluorescence analysis using corresponding antibodies. Scale bar (20 μm) is the same for all the pictures, but is only shown in one of each experiment. (B) Immunofluorescence images were analyzed by ImageJ and shown as change in average intensities for HCV-uninfected and–infected liver samples. (C) Huh7 cells (3 × 10⁵) were transfected with different amounts of pHA-F and pCoreΔ4 plasmids and, after 24 hrs, stimulated with poly(IC), and analyzed for IFNβ1 mRNA after another 24 hrs. Star indicates statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) from the control group. Letter “a” indicates statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) from the corresponding pEF control for each–poly(IC) or +poly(IC) group. Lines with P values also indicate statistically significance (P < 0.05) or no difference (P > 0.05) between the groups. Data were normalized by GAPDH mRNA and shown as percent change from control.</p