Depletion of MicroRNA-373 Represses the Replication of Hepatitis C Virus via Activation of Type 1 Interferon Response by Targeting IRF5

PURPOSE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a risk of chronic liver disease and threatens a significant number of people worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are linked to the regulation of hepatocarcinogenesis. Although miR-373 is required for HCV infection, the underlying mechanisms of miR-373 involvement in HCV replication remain elusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription PCR assays were performed to detect the abundances of miR-373 and HCV RNA either in Huh 7.5 cells or liver biopsy specimens with HCV infection. Luciferase assay was employed to probe the interactions between miR-373 and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5). Western blot was conducted to investigate the effect of miR-373 and IRF5 on HCV replication and activation of type 1 interferon (IFN) response in JFH1-infected Huh 7.5 cells. RESULTS: HCV infection appeared to be caused by increased miR-373 expression. Addition of miR-373 promoted HCV RNA expression, while miR-373 depletion led to an inhibitive effect on HCV replication. Concordantly, IRF5, as a direct target, was limited by miR-373 in JFH1-infected Huh 7.5 cells. In addition, introduction of IRF5 protected HCV replication in the presence of abundant miR-373. Furthermore, the miR-373-mediated inhibitory effect on type 1 IFN response was ablated following IRF5 accumulation. CONCLUSION: miR-373 abrogation reduced HCV replication via activation of type 1 IFN responses by targeting IRF5 in JFH1-infected Huh 7.5 cells, suggesting a promising therapeutic for treating HCV infection.

Studies on the Killing Effect of γ Ray Irradiated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Combined with ApoG2 on Human Prostate Cancer PC-3 Cells / 中国医学物理学杂志

Objective:To observe the killing effect of irradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at low dose combined with apogossypolone (ApoG2) on cultured human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.Methods:Human PBMCs were irradated by gamma ray at 1 gray,the irradiation dose rate was 17 Gy/min.The experiment were divided into PC-3 tumor cell control group,PC-3 cells with irradiated and non-irradiated PBMCs co-culture groups,ApoG2 treatment group,irradiated PBMCs and ApoG2 co-treatment group.Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining and MTT method were used to observe the killing effect of PBMCs and/or ApoG2.Results:The killing activity of irradiated PBMCs group and ApoG2 treatment group were obviously increased and were higlaer than that of non-irradiated group (P＜0.05).The killing activity of combined group were much higher than that of irradiated group and ApoG2 treatment group (P ＜0.01 ).Conclusion:Irradiated PBMCs at low dose combined with ApoG2 can enhances the anti-tumor effects markedly.