Figure 7

miR-122-dependent replication of HCV is suppressed by IFN-λ stimulation. Huh 7.5.1 cells infected with JFH-1 for the indicated number of days and HCV RNA or miR-122 levels were quantified by real time PCR. The mean value of day 1 post-infection was arbitrarily defined as 1 in fold increase in HCV, or as 10 in fold increase in miR-122 (A). Cells were infected with JFH-1 for 5 days, and then replated in 6-well plates. After 24 hours, the HCV-infected cells were stimulated with recombinant IFN-λ (100 ng) for 0-48 hours. The amount of HCV RNA or miR-122 was quantified by real time PCR (B, C). Similarly, HCV-infected cells were replated in 6-well plates after 5 days of infection. After 24 hours, cells were transfected with miRIDIAN or negative control miRIDIAN (20 pmol) for 36 h, and stimulated with or without IFN-λ (100 ng each) for 1-3 days. HCV RNA was quantified by real time PCR (D) while HCV NS3 protein was measured by ELISA (E). Data shown are from one experiment and are representative of three experiments with similar results. Statistical significance (p<0.01) is relative to the control group that received no treatment.