Research Article

Counteraction of HCV-Induced Oxidative Stress Concurs to Establish Chronic Infection in Liver Cell Cultures

Figure 4

Nrf2 protein and enzymes responsible for recycling and de novo biosynthesis of GSH are differently activated during HCV infection. (a) RT-PCR quantification of enzymes responsible for recycling (GR) and biosynthesis of GSH (GCL and GS). Gene expression was measured in uninfected (CTR) and HCV-infected cells at different passages of infection. The graph represents the fold increases relative to CTR. Unpaired test: , , and vs. CTR, represented by the horizontal line. (b) Western blot of uninfected (C) and HCV-infected (I) Huh7.5 cells at different times of infection, using anti-Nrf2 antibody. Lamin A/C was used as a loading control. Densitometric analysis of the blot is shown. Data shown are the of four different technical replicates; unpaired test: and vs. CTR (considered as 100%).
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