Fig. 4

miR-6875-3p regulates the transition between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, and promotes migratory, invasive, and metastatic of HCC cells. a, b HL7702 and HepG2 cells via the transfection of a miR-6875-3p mimic were subjected to Transwell migration (top) and Matrigel invasion assays (bottom). Quantification of migrated cells through the membrane and invaded cells through either the membrane or Matrigel for each cell line is shown as a proportion of the vector controls. c, d Huh7 and BEL7404 cells via the transfection of a miR-6875-3p inhibitor were subjected to Transwell migration (top) and Matrigel invasion assays (bottom). Quantification of migrated cells through either the membrane or Matrigel for each cell lines is shown as proportions of their vector controls. e, f Expression of epithelial (E-cadherin and a-catenin) and mesenchymal (N-cadherin and Vimentin) markers were analyzed by Western blot in transfected HL7702 and Huh7 cells. g The total number of mice with distant metastasis at 6 weeks after injection of transfected HL7702 and Huh7 cells. h, i The number of metastatic foci per section in lungs from individual mouse with injection of transfected HL7702 and Huh7 cells. Scale bars, 200 nm (a, b, c and d) and 50 mm (h and i). Data are shown as the mean ± SD of three replicates (*p < 0.05)