Fig. 2.

Downregulation of syndecan-1 and syndecan-2 inhibits HSV-1 entry into HeLa cells. HSV-1 entry was analysed in HeLa cells mock treated (no transfection) or transfected with scrambled siRNA, syndecan-1 siRNA or syndecan-2 siRNA. After siRNA transfection (48 h), cells were inoculated with a serial dilution of β-galactosidase-expressing recombinant HSV-1 (KOS) gL86 virus for 6 h. The soluble substrate ONPG was added and enzymic activity was measured. Downregulation of both syndecan-1 (Fig. 2a) and syndecan-2 (Fig. 2b) inhibits HSV-1 (KOS) gL86 entry into HeLa cells although syndecan-2 siRNA has more significant effect. Per cent inhibition of HSV-1(KOS) gL86 entry by syndecan-1 siRNA or syndecan-2 siRNA treatment was calculated relative to mock-treated (no transfection) cells. Scrambled siRNA-transfected cells were used as negative control. Each value shown is the mean of six determinations (±sd) (*P<0.05, **P<0.0001).