Impact of IFN-α treatment on Mx1 lung transcript and protein levels in non-infected hamsters.

(A) Syrian hamsters were treated intranasally either with placebo or with 105 IU recombinant universal IFN-α (IFN). Tissues were harvested at day 1 post-treatment. Transcripts levels of Mx1 relative to the housekeeping genes RPL18 and RPS6KB1 were determined by RT-qPCR. Results are expressed as means ± SEM. Statistical analysis: one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. (B-D) Syrian hamsters were treated intranasally either with placebo or with 105 UI IFN or with 7.105 IU IFN. Tissues were harvested either at day 1 or day 2 post-treatment. (B) Lung transcripts levels of Mx1 relative to the housekeeping genes RPL18 and RPS6KB1 determined by RT-qPCR. (C) Representative pictures were selected to display Mx1 lung protein levels detected by immuno-chemistry (IHC). Scale bar: 100μm. (D) Quantification of percent lung area positive for Mx1 protein detected by IHC. D0: day 0; D1: day 1; D2; day 2. Statistical analysis: one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test.