Effect of siRNA on HSV-1 plaque formation and relative expression of capsid-related genes in HSV-1-infected Vero cells.

<p>(A–F) Effects of siRNA on relative mRNA expression levels of capsid genes (<i>UL18</i>, <i>UL19</i>, <i>UL26</i>, <i>UL26.5</i>, <i>UL35</i> and <i>UL38</i>, respectively) compared with the virus group were analyzed by qPCR. (a–f) Effects of siRNA against different capsid genes (<i>UL18</i>, <i>UL19</i>, <i>UL26</i>, <i>UL26.5</i>, <i>UL35</i> and <i>UL38</i>, respectively) on HSV-1 proliferation were evaluated by a plaque reduction assay. Vero cells were treated with different siRNAs. Cultures were infected with HSV-1, and plaques were counted 72 h later. The relative survival rate of each group was compared with the virus control set at 100%. Each sample was analyzed in triplicate, and data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. *<i>P</i><0.05 vs. viral group.