Figure 3

Correlation between expression of genes encoding cytokines and chemokines and anti HBsAg serum titers in vaccinated healthy donors. WB from donors naïve or vaccinated with HBsAg was incubated o/n in the presence of a 2 μg/ml concentration of HBsAg. Following addition of RNAlater, total cellular RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed and amplified by qRT-PCR in the presence of primers and probes specific for the indicated genes and β-actin house keeping gene (panels A-F). Cytokine and chemokine gene expression was evaluated by using, as reference, the expression of β-actin gene, as detailed in "materials and methods". Titers of anti HBsAg antibodies were measured by ELISA. Data regarding correlations between expression of MIP-1β (CCL4) and IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α genes are shown in panels G-I. Linear regressions and 95% mean prediction intervals are reported in each panel.