Figure 5. TNF-α secreted from HCV exposed macrophages induces inflammasome, but not fibrosis markers.

Panel A. LX2 cells were incubated with HCV-MΦ-CM and TNF-α neutralizing antibody or negative control antibody (−ve cont Ab). Total RNA was isolated and qRT-PCR was performed to examine the expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β as described in figure 1. Panel B. LX2 cells were incubated with HCV-MΦ-CM treated with negative control or neutralizing antibody of TNF-α. Total RNA was isolated and qRT-PCR was performed for expression of profibrogenic markers as described in Figure 1.