Fig 2. M. leprae infection induced GPAT3 expression.

(A) THP-1 cells (3 × 10⁶) were cultured in 6-well plates and inoculated with M. leprae (MOI: 0, 1, 10 and 20). After a 24 h incubation, total RNA was purified and the expression level of GPAT isoforms was evaluated by qRT-PCR. Expression levels of mRNA were normalized relative to β-actin (ACTB) levels and are expressed relative to their levels at MOI 0. (B and C) THP-1 cells were cultured in 6-well plates and inoculated with M. leprae (MOI: 20). Total RNA and protein were purified from the cells for (B) qRT-PCR and (C) Western blotting analysis. GPAT mRNA levels were normalized against ACTB and are expressed relative to its level at 0 h. (D) THP-1 cells were cultured with live M. leprae, dead M. leprae, 2 μg/ml of peptidoglycan, or latex beads for the indicated period of time. Total RNA was purified and subjected to an qRT-PCR analysis. Statistical significance was determined by a one-way ANOVA followed by a Dunnett test. Two and three asterisks indicate p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively. The representative results of three independent experiments are shown.