Fig. 4

PKC activity restricted DENV viral number in host cells. a Viral copy numbers in HepG2 cells treated with various BisI concentrations. Cells were treated with various concentrations of BisI for 30 min, prior to a 1.5-h infection by DENV strain 16681. Cells were kept in medium with BisI for a total of 24 h, before harvesting. Viral copy numbers were quantified by quantitative PCR. Bars represent means viral copy number from 3 independent experiments. Error bars represent S.D., **; p-value ≤ 0.01. Concentrations of BisI used were not toxic to the host cells. b Reduction of DENV copy number in host cells by PKC activator. HepG2 cells were treated with 0.1 nM of a PKC activator PMA or vehicle for 30 min, prior to a 2-h infection by DENV strain 16681 (MOI of 5). Cells were then kept in the activator (or vehicle) for 24 h before harvesting to quantify the viral copy numbers. Bars represent means of 3 independent experiments. Error bars represent S.D., **; p-value ≤ 0.01. c PMA promoted PKC activity. Levels of total PEA15 and phospho-PEA15 at 24 h after PMA treatment were examined using immunoblotting (left panel). Ratios of the signals p-PEA15/PEA15 from the immunoblots were shown on the right. d BisI had no effect on entering of virus in to the host cells (HepG2). Average viral copy numbers at the early time points after viral infection, 2, 5, 8 h. Viral infection and BisI treatment was performed as indicated in a Three independent experiments were performed. Error bars represent S.D. e DENV copy numbers in HepG2 cells during indicated time pointed were represented as mean of 3 independent experiments. Error bars represent S.D., *; p-value ≤ 0.05, **; p-value ≤ 0.01. BisI treatment and viral infection was performed as indicated in (a)