Real-time RT-PCR mRNA expression of selected genes that were significantly upregulated by PR/8 or NY/238 were validated by quantitative realtime RT-PCR [34] . These genes include IFNs, PRRs, chemokines, and SOCSs. Except for IFN-b and IL-29 genes whose probes were synthesized in house [34] , the specific probes for other genes were purchased from Applied Biosystems (Applied Biosystems Inc. Foster City, CA). The expression level of each specific gene was normalized to the level of a constitutive probe cyclophilin B [34] .