Figure 4

Determination of the role of HIV-1 Tat protein in the activation of HCV replication. (A) Huh7.5.1 cells were infected with FL-J6/JFH-5'C19Rluc2Aubi virus and then incubated with PBS, 1 μg/ml Tat, or 1 μg/ml HI-Tat in 24-well plates for different times, as indicated. Cells were harvested and analyzed for luciferase activity. (B) Huh7.5.1 cells were infected with JFH1 virus and then incubated with PBS, Tat, or HI-Tat for 9 days. Cell culture supernatants were harvested and HCV copy numbers were determined by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). (C) Huh7.5.1 cells were infected with JFH1 virus and then incubated with PBS, Tat, or HI-Tat for 9 days. Cells were harvested and HCV core protein levels were detected by Western blot analyses. β-actin level was determined as a loading control.