Fig. 5
Detection of HTNV RNA loads in organs of HTNV-challenged HLA-A2.1/Kb Tg mice after peptide immunization. The HLA-A2.1/Kb Tg mice were divided into five groups, immunized with HTNV linear multi-epitope peptide PADRE-VV9, HLA-A*02-restricted single HTNV-GP CTL epitope VV9, HLA-B*35-restricted HTNV-NP CTL epitope VY9 as an unrelated peptide control, the HTNV-inactivated vaccine as a positive control and PBS as a negative control, respectively. The HTNV RNA loads (y-axis) were detected via real-time PCR in the lungs, liver, cerebrum, spleen, kidneys and heart (x-axis) of Tg mice after HTNV challenge in the five different immunization groups. Comparison of the HTNV RNA loads which could be detected in liver, spleen and kidneys of the immunized Tg mice after HTNV challenge among five immunization mice groups, respectively. The results shown were recorded as cycle time (Ct) and quantified by 2−ΔΔCt. The bar in each group represents the mean value ± standard error of mean (SEM). The unpaired t test was used for statistical evaluation. PBS, phosphate buffer saline. VV9, VMASLVWPV. VY9, VPILLKALY. PADRE, AKXVAAWTLKAAA, X = cyclohexylalanine. ***P < 0.001; **P < 0.01; *P < 0.05. ns, not significant