Fig. 2

MiR-139 inhibits HCC cell growth and induces apoptosis. a and (b), Hep3B and SMMC7721 cells were transfected with 100 nM miR-139 mimic oligos or control oligos. a MiR-139 level was measured with qRT-PCR. b Cell viability was measured using MTT assay on indicated days. c and (d) Hep3B and SMMC7721 cells were transfected with 100 nM miR-139 inhibitors or control oligos. c MiR-139 level was measured with qRT-PCR. d Cell viability was measured using MTT assay on indicated days. e Cell apoptosis was measured with the Annxin V-FITC/Hoechst 33258 double staining flow cytometry in control cells or cells overexpressing miR-139. The cells were incubated for 72 h after transfection of the oligos. f Colonogenic assay was performed to measure the colony formation capacity of cells. Three hundred living cells were plated in 6 well plates in triplicate. Cells were cultured in complete medium until visible colonies were formed. Colonies were fixed with ethanol and stained with crystal violet, and the number of colonies per well were counted under a dissecting microscope. g Colonogenic assay was performed to measure the colony formation capacity of cells. In 6 well plates 150 living cells were plated per well in triplicate. All experiments were repeated 3 times. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001