Filamin B knockdown inhibits the replication of HBV. (A) Huh7 and HepG2 cells were transfected with siNC, filamin B-targeting siFLNB-1, siFLNB-2 or siFLNB-3 separately. Western blot analysis of filamin B was used to confirm the silencing efficiency. (B) Levels of HBV total RNAs and pgRNA in Huh7 cells were determined by real-time PCR. (C) Levels of HBV total RNAs and pgRNA in HepG2 cells were determined by real-time PCR. (D) Levels of HBeAg and HBsAg in culture medium supernatant of Huh7 cells were detected with ELISA. (E) Levels of HBeAg and HBsAg in culture medium supernatant of HepG2 cells were detected with ELISA. (F) HBV DNA was extracted at 96 h post transfection, and then subjected to Southern blotting. Western blot showed that filamin B was successfully knocked down. Co-transfection with pHBV1.3 and siNC was used as a loading control. Ratios were quantified by gray analysis with GeneTools from Syngene software (GeneGnome5). rcDNA, relaxed circular DNA; dsDNA, double stranded DNA; ssDNA, single stranded DNA. All results are shown as mean ± SD. (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001).