Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15 Conjugation Stimulates Hepatitis B Virus Production Independent of Type I Interferon Signaling Pathway In Vitro

Figure 2

ISG15 overexpression promotes HBV production in vitro. HepG2.2.15 cells were transfected with the indicated amount of ISG15 plasmid or GFP-expressing plasmid. (a) Real-time PCR showing ISG15 mRNA expression 24 h after transfection of ISG15 plasmid. GFP, transfected with 4 μg GFP-expressing plasmid; 2 μg, 4 μg, 8 μg, or 16 μg transfected with 2 μg, 4 μg, 8 μg, or 16 μg ISG15 plasmid. (b) Supernatant HBV DNA, intracellular, (c) cccDNA, (d) pgRNA, and (e) total HBV DNA were determined by real-time PCR 48 h after transfection, respectively. PEI, transfection regent polyethyleneimine (PEI) treatment only; GFP, transfected with 4 μg GFP-expressing plasmid; ISG15, transfected with 4 μg ISG15 plasmid. The results are presented as the means ± SD, ; error bars indicate SD. ; .

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