Fig. 2

Knockdown of circFBLIM1 inhibits growth and invasion, and promotes apoptosis in HCC. a Cells were transfected with si-NC or si-circFBLIM1, qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the transfection was successful. b CCK8 assay was performed to assess cell growth. c Cell apoptosis was determined 48 h post-transfection by JC-1 staining. Green indicates apoptosis. Original magnification, × 400. d Matrigel invasion assay was performed. Representative images of invaded cells are shown in the left panel, and the results are summarized in the right panel. Original magnification, × 200. e Representative images of xenografts tumor (five mice per group) in nude mice. f Tumor volume was monitored every 4 days for 28 days. g The weights of xenograft tumors are summarized. h Representative images of HE stained lung metastatic nodules are shown. Original magnification, × 40. The number of metastatic nodules was quantified (five mice per group) in the right panel. All the data are shown as the mean ± S.D., **P < 0.01