Figure 6. Effects of viral RNA and viral/bacterial DNA on the expression of complement factor genes. The mRNA levels were determined
with real-time RT–PCR analysis after stimulation of the cells for 2, 6, and 24 h (as indicated by the panels of the bars),
and are expressed as fold of unstimulated controls. A: Expression of complement factor genes in cells cultured for 2 (1), 6 (2), and 24 h (3), as determined by RT–PCR. Negative
controls (0) were done by adding double-distilled water instead of cDNA as a template. B: Near-confluent cultures were stimulated with poly(I:C; 500 µg/ml). C: Dose-dependent effect of poly(I:C) on the expression of the CFB gene. Confluent cultures were stimulated with poly(I:C;
100 and 500 µg/ml, respectively). D: Near-confluent cultures were stimulated with CpG-ODN (500 nM). Each bar represents data obtained in three to five independent
experiments using cells from different donors. Each bar represents data obtained in 3 to 5 independent RPE cell lines, each
from a different human eye donor; experiments with each cell line were carried out in triplicate: *p<0.05. ●, p<0.05.