fig4

Figure 4. Sorafenib suppresses farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-induced hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression through inhibition of JNK pathway. (a) The effect of JNK inhibitor on FXR gene expression levels. Chang cells were transfected with pCMV-mFXRα1 construct and treated with SP600125. The indicated mRNA or protein levels were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or Western blotting; (b) the effect of JNK on FXR gene expression levels. Chang cells were transfected with pCMV-mFXRα1 construct and treated with SP600125. The indicated mRNA or protein levels were detected by RT-PCR or Western blotting; (c) the effect of sorafenib on FXR-induced 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) and sorafenib. The cell lysates were analyzed for luciferase activity. **P < 0.01 compared with the indicated cells; (d) the effect of sorafenib on FXR-induced HBV X promoter activity. Chang cells were transfected with the indicated constructs, and then maintained either control conditions or in the presence of CDCA and sorafenib. The cell lysates were analyzed for luciferase activity. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 compared with the indicated cells; (e) the effect of sorafenib on FXR-induced HBV preS1 promoter activity. Chang cells were transfected with the indicated constructs, and then maintained either control conditions or in the presence of CDCA and sorafenib. The cell lysates were analyzed for luciferase activity. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 compared with the indicated cells; (f) the effect of sorafenib on FXR-induced HBV mRNA levels. Chang cells were transfected with the indicated constructs as described on each lane, and the cells were treated with CDCA and sorafenib. The indicated mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR; (g) the effect of sorafenib on FXR-induced HBV protein levels. Chang cells were transfected with the indicated constructs as described on each lane, and the cells were treated with CDCA and sorafenib. The indicated protein levels were detected by Western blotting