Fig. 2

Enhanced stability of SPc-complexed dsRNA. a The dseGFP degradation by RNase A. One μg dseGFP was added with RNase A to prepare the reaction solution (dseGFP: 100 ng/μL), and the mixture was incubated for 20 min at 37 °C. M: DNA marker. Gel electrophoresis assay (b) and relative band density (c) of SPc-complexed dseGFP treated with RNase A. The RNase A was used to treat dseGFP/SPc complex (dseGFP: 1 μg). Then the dseGFP/SPc complex was decomplexed in 0.3% SDS solution. Each treatment was repeated 3 times. d Relative dsRNA amount of SPc-complexed dseGFP treated with RNase A. The decomplexed dseGFP was purified and quantified. Each treatment was repeated 3 times. Statistical analysis was conducted using independent t-test at the P = 0.05 level of significance. e–h’ Fluorescent images of immune cells treated with naked dseGFP (e-e’) or SPc-complexed dseGFP (f–h’). The dseGFP and dseGFP/SPc complex were incubated with hemolymph for 3 h (dseGFP: 500 ng). Blue: DAPI. Green: dseGFP. g-g’ Plasmatocyte. h–h’ Granulocyte