Figure 5.

Analysis of HCV E2 protein expression by using siRNA alone and in combination against HCV receptor genes CD81, LDLR and SR-B1. Protein was isolated from Huh-7 cells treated with single or combinations of siRNA (siCD81-B, siLDLR and siSR-B1) against HCV receptor CD81 LDLR and SR-B1 genes and incubated for 6 hrs before adding HCV-3a sera (Ser 3a) for 48 hrs. Protein levels were quantified by western blot analysis using antibodies specific for E2 and GAPDH. A) Silencing of CD-81 and LDLR genes alone or in combination using specific siRNAs (siCD81-B, siLDLR) reduced HCV E2 protein expression levels in Huh-7 cells. B) Silencing of the LDLR gene or SR-B1 gene alone and in combination, using specific siRNA (siLDLR, siSR-BI, siCLDN1+siSR-BI) reduced HCV E2 protein expression in Huh-7 cells. GAPDH protein levels are also shown as an internal control and scramble siRNA (Sc) as siRNA control.