HCV-replicating cells induce IFN-β induction <i>in vivo</i>.

<p>(A) IFN-β^+/Δβluc mice were s.c. injected with 5x10⁶ mock transfected (left flank) or HCV subgenomic RNA transfected (SGR2; right flank) Huh7.5 cells. At the indicated time points post s.c. injection, luciferin was injected i.v. and luciferase activity was measured using the IVIS Spectrum <i>in vivo</i> imaging system. (B) Quantification of luciferase activity. Each symbol represents a region of interest (ROI) analysis of an individual animal (n = 6). (C) IFN-β^+/Δβluc mice were s.c. injected with 5x10⁶ pUCΔGDD (ΔGDD) transfected or HCV SGR RNA transfected Huh7.5 cells treated with or without the HCV protease inhibitor telaprevir. At the indicated time points post s.c. injection, luciferin was injected i.v., the luciferase activity measured using the IVIS Spectrum <i>in vivo</i> imaging system and the signal quantified. Each symbol represents an individual animal (n = 3–4). (****, p≤ 0.0001, ***, p≤ 0.001; **, P≤0.01; *, P≤0.05; 2-way ANOVA, means + SD; n.s. not significant).