Fig. 6

STAT3 pathway is involved in 14–3-3ζ/HO-1 regulation of HCC cell proliferation (a) HO-1-overexpressing cells were stably transfected with shNC or shSTAT3 plasmids to generate control (Vec-shNC), HO-1 overexpressing (HO-1-shNC), and HO-1 overexpressing but STAT3 knockdown (HO-1-shSTAT3) stable cells. The pY-STAT3 and total STAT3 levels were examined by western blot analysis. b and c CCK8 and colony formation assays were performed for indicated cells. d-f The indicated cells were assessed using a xenograft assay, and tumor growth was measured. g si-STAT3 was transfected into SK-hep1 cells to achieve STAT3 knockdown and block phosphorylation of STAT3, as verified using western blot assays. h Western blot analysis to quantify pY-STAT3 level in 14–3-3ζ-overexpressing cells after transfection with siSTAT3 (or siNC as control) for 48 h. i After transfection with siSTAT3 (or siNC as control) for 48 h, the cells were collected to performed CCK8 assay