HBx-siRNA induced the expression of type I interferon (IFN) and inflammatory cytokines in HepG2.2.15 cells.

<p>(A) HepG2.2.15 cells were transfected with HBx-siRNAs; 24 h later, the mRNA levels of IFN-α, IFN-β, ISG15 and ISG56 were measured by real-time PCR. The mRNA level in each sample was expressed as a fold change of the RNA level in lipofectamine (LF)-treated cells. The levels of mRNA are presented relative to mock control. (B) Cells were transfected with HBx-siRNAs for 24 h. Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and IL-8 mRNA were analyzed by real-time PCR and presented relative to those of LF-treated cells. (C) HepG2.2.15 cells were incubated with phycoerythrin (PE)-labelled anti-p-Stat1 antibody after HBx-siRNA transfection for 4 h, and were then analyzed by flow cytometry. p-Stat1 expression was also detected when IFN receptor was neutralized. (D) Levels of CXCL2, CCL4, and CXCL10 mRNA were analyzed by real-time PCR and presented relative to those of LF-treated cells. Data are expressed as the mean ± SD from at least three separate experiments. *<i>p</i><0.05 versus LF-treated group.