Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis

Total RNA from whole blood was extracted with a one-step method from Trizol (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). The mRNA was subjected to a reverse transcription reaction by using a TaKaRa PrimeScript RT reagent Kit (Perfect Real Time) reverse transcription kit. Primer sequences are listed in Table S1. Relative quantification of gene expression was calculated using the formula: 2^–ΔΔCt, ΔΔCt = (Ct_{target gene} − Ct_β-actin) TBI − (Ct_{target gene} − Ct_β-actin) control. Three independent experiments were performed for each condition.