Hepatitis B virus confers innate immunity evasion through hepatitis B virus-miR-3 down-regulation of cGAS-Sting-IFN signaling

Figure 2 Hepatitis B virus-miR-3 inhibits cGAS protein expression by binding cGAS 3'-untranslated region binding. A: Schematic of the fluorescent reporter construct designed for the study; B: Relative luciferase activity in HepG2 cells transfected with pmirGLO cGAS wild-type or mutant fluorescent plasmids, and HBV-miR-3 agomir; C: Gradual decline in luciferase activity induced by HBV-miR-3 agomir after 72 hours; D: Dose-dependent repression of cGAS protein mediated by hepatitis B virus-miR-3 agomir after 72 hours. Each experiment was repeated three times. Data are presented as mean ± SD. P < 0.01. WT: Wild-type; MUT: Mutant; NC: Negative control.