Fig. 4

SOX2 knockdown promoted the apoptosis of Ewing’s sarcoma cells by activating the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. a, and b Cell apoptosis analysis was performed by flow cytometry. The bar charts showed the significant increases in the early and late apoptotic indexes of A673 and RD-ES cells transfected with siSOX2. c Cell apoptosis of A673 and RD-ES cells treated with siSOX2 were evaluated by the TUNEL assay. d Cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP were enhanced in Ewing’s sarcoma cells transfected with siSOX2, as assayed by WB. e The proteins of the cell death receptor and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways were examined by WB assays in cells under SOX2 knockdown conditions performed. SOX2 inhibition amplified pro-apoptotic regulators, such as Fas and Bad, repressed anti-apoptotic mediators, such as Bcl-2 and XIAP, and activated caspases-8 and caspase-9. The data are representative of three independent experiments