IL-28A suppresses HCV replication. Huh7.5 (a) and HLCZ01 (c) cells were infected with HCV (MOI = 0.1) for 6 h at 37°C. The medium was then removed and cells were incubated with IL-28A for 48 or 72 h at 37°C. (b) HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells were incubated with different doses of IL-28A for 72 h. (d) FL cells were incubated with IL-28A for 48 or 72 h. ((a), (b), (c), and (d)) Intracellular viral RNA was detected by real-time PCR. The results are the average of three independent experiments performed in triplicate. (e) Huh7.5 cells were treated as described in part (a). NS5A and core proteins were detected with western blot. (f) Huh7.5 cells were pretreated with or without IL-28A for 12 h. The medium was then removed, and cells were inoculated with HCV (MOI = 0.1) for 6 h at 37°C. Intracellular viral RNA was detected by real-time PCR.