Figure 2. Both ORFV strains induce cytokines suppressing HCV replication in an in vitro replicon system.

Figures shows relative fluorescence units (RFU) as a measure for HCV replication. a) 20 µl (dose 1.6×10⁵ TCID₅₀) iORFV strain D1701 or NZ2 was added to whole blood and incubated for 3 days (see methods). Supernatants of cultured blood cells were added to replicon cells and HCV replication was determined three days later. Statistical analyses were performed using the one-way ANOVA and as post hoc analysis the Bonferroni Test. *p<0.05 vs. placebo. RFU-value from placebo (PBS) - treated supernatants was set as 100%. ConA served as a positive control. b) Cell viability of replicon-bearing cells was not affected after addition of supernatants from iORFV-incubated human blood cells. c) iORFV inhibits HCV replication in a dose-dependent manner. D 1701 or NZ2 were used for incubation with whole blood at doses ranging from 1.6×10⁵ TCID₅₀ to 1.6×10³ TCID₅₀. Values (n = 3) show means ± standard error of means (SEM).