[Effect of PLSCR1 on the Antiviral Activity of IFN against HBV in HepG2 Cells].

Abstract

To study the effect of interferon(IFN)against hepatitis B virus(HBV)by silencing phospholipid scramblase (PLSCR)1in HepG2 cells. siRNA specific for PLSCR1 was designed and transfected in HepG2 cells. The inhibitory effect of siRNA was determined using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and western blotting 48hpost-transfection.HepG2 cells treated with IFN were co-transfected with plasmids expressing HBV1.3and siRNA targeting PLSCR1.Total RNA of HepG2 cells was isolated and the mRNA level of PLSCR1 measured by reverse-transcription semi-quantitative PCR. The expression of HBsAg in culture supernatants was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of PLSCR1 was inhibited by siRNA911 in HepG2cells.Compared with the control, the level of HBsAg decreased in the cell supernatants of cells transfected with HBV1.3plasmid or NC-siRNA + HBV1.3plasmid.Compared with cells not treated with IFN, the level of HBsAg did not change significantly in the supernatants of cells transfected with siRNA + HBV1.3plasmid and treated with IFN. Inhibition of PLSCR1 could decrease the antiviral activity of IFN against HBV. These data suggest that PLSCR1 has an important role in the inhibition of HBV replication due to IFN.