Figure 5.

pSuper/HBVS1 inhibits surface and e antigens expression of HBV genotypes B and C. HBV genomic DNA of genotype B or C was extracted from patients’ sera and PCR-amplified as described in the Materials and Methods section. Full-genome PCR products were digested with SapI and purified and transfected into HuH-7 cells with pSuper or pSuper/HBVS1. Culture media were collected on day 3 and day 5 posttransfection, and the levels of HBsAg and HBeAg were determined. Levels of HBsAg and HBeAg secreted by pSuper-treated cells were defined as 100%. Values shown are averages of 3 experiments (means ± standard deviation).