fig5

Figure 5. (A) qRT-PCR analysis showing viral loads (PrM transcript levels) from HaCaT recipient cells that were incubated (for three days) with infectious tick exosomes, pretreated overnight at 4 °C in 1 × chilled PBS (as control) or with PBS enriched 0.1 M salt solutions [of NaCl, (NH₄)₂SO₄, CH₃COONa or MgSO₄], respectively. Closed circles, squares, triangles, inverted triangles or rhombus represents viral loads obtained from LGTV-infected HaCaT cells incubated with infectious tick exosomes treated with indicated salts. In panel A, each shape represents data from one independent culture well in a plate. Each treatment had five independent replicates. The mRNA levels of prM gene are normalized to human beta-actin mRNA levels. P values less than 0.05 or equal to 0.04 are from Student’s t-test. There is no statistical difference between PBS/NaCl and other tested salts, or CH₃COONa and MgSO₄ groups. Immunoblotting analysis is shown for proteins NS1 or CD63 (B) and for all tested salts. Protein sizes are indicated in kilodaltons (kDa). Protein profile gel image in (B) is shown as the loading control.