fig3

Figure 3. Sorafenib suppresses farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-induced hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression. (a) The effect of several hepatic transcription factors and sorafenib on HBV promoter activities. Chang cells were cotransfected with ×1.3 HBV-luc construct and the indicated transcription factors, and incubated in sorafenib. The cell lysates were analyzed for luciferase activity; (b) the effect of FXRα1 on HBV core promoter activity. Chang cells were transfected with the indicated constructs, and then maintained either control conditions or in the presence of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). The cell lysates were analyzed for luciferase activity. **P < 0.01 compared with the indicated cells; (c) the effect of FXR on HBV mRNA and protein levels. Chang cells were transfected with the indicated constructs, and then maintained either control conditions or in the presence of CDCA. The indicated mRNA or protein levels were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or Western blotting; (d) the effect of FXR on HBV core promoter activity by the antagonist. Chang cells were transfected with the indicated constructs, and then maintained either control conditions or in the presence of Z-guggulsterone (Z-GGS). The cell lysates were analyzed for luciferase activity. *P < 0.05 compared with the indicated cells; (e) the effect of FXR on HBV mRNA and protein levels by the antagonist. Chang cells were transfected with the indicated constructs, and then maintained either control conditions or in the presence of Z-GGS. The indicated mRNA or protein levels were detected by RT-PCR or Western blotting; (f) the effect of sorafenib on FXR. Chang cells were transfected with pCMV-mFXRα1 construct, and then maintained either under control conditions or in the presence of sorafenib; (g) the effect of sorafenib on FXR and HBV protein levels. Chang cells were transfected with the indicated constructs, and then maintained either control conditions or in the presence of sorafenib. The transfected cells were analyzed by Western blotting