Figure 4.

Cytosolic macrophage migration inhibitory factor and IκB expression after siRNA-mediated gene silencing in steroid-resistant patients. (A) Real-time PCR analysis of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the steroid-resistant (SR) systemic lupus erythematosus group transfected with three siRNAs at different concentrations. C, control; NC, negative control; Si1, 100 nmol/l s8780; Si2, 100 nmol/l s194615; Si3, 100 nmol/l s194614; Si4, 200 nmol/l s8780; Si5, 200 nmol/l s194615; Si6, 200 nmol/l s194614. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. s194614 at 100 nmol/l (Si3) had the best silencing efficiency. (B) Western blot analysis of cytosolic MIF and IκB levels in PBMCs from the SR group after s194614-mediated MIF gene silencing compared with PBMCs transfected with siRNA controls (siControl).