Fig. 5

Knockdown of VEGF-A reduces lung cancer cell aggressiveness via BCL-2-mediated activation of apoptosis in vitro. a Representative images stained for VEGF-A (red) and BCL-2 (green) and co-localization (yellow, arrowheads) (scale bar, 50 μm). b and c VEGF-A siRNAs (#1 or 2) decreased VEGF-A and BCL-2, respectively. d VEGF-A siRNAs caused a significant decrease in the luciferase activity of wt 3'-UTR of BCL-2. e A slower proliferation rate in cells treated with VEGF-A siRNAs compared with controls. f Fewer Ki-67 positive cells in VEGF-A silenced cells compared with controls (scale bar, 100 μm). (g) Decreased number of invaded cells with VEGF-A siRNAs (scale bar, 100 μm). (h) Shorter migrated distance in cells treated with VEGF-A siRNAs at indicated time points. (i) Decreased colonies in VEGF-A silenced cells at 48 hours time point. j Increased apoptotic cells (17.0 and 17.3 %) compared with controls (11.9 %). k Increased apoptotic rate in VEGF-A silenced cells (scale bar, 50 μm). l No effect of VEGF-A siRNAs on the level of miR-130b. NT siRNA: non-targeting small interference RNA. Each bar represents the mean ± SD. Results are representative of three independent experiments. *p < 0.05, #p < 0.001