Fig. 4

Expression of colon cancer cell EMT-related proteins after manipulation of PCSK9 expression in vitro. a, c and d, Western blot. HCT116 and HT-29 cells were grown and transiently transfected with PCSK9 or control siRNA, and then subjected to Western blot analysis of protein expression at 48 hs after transfaction. The graph is quantified data of Western blots. The data revealed that PCSK9 knockdown increased level of E-cadherin protein, but reduced N-cadherin, MMP9, and Snail 1 proteins. b, e and f, Western blot. HCT116 and HT-29 cells were grown and transiently transfected with plasmids carrying PCSK9 cDNA or vector only, and then subjected to Western blot analysis of protein expression. The graph is quantified data of Western blots. The data showed that PCSK9 overexpression decreased level of E-cadherin protein, but increased level of N-cadherin, MMP9, and Snail 1 proteins. NC, negative control; KD, knockdown of PCSK9 cells transfected with PCSK9 siRNA; OE, overexpression of PCSK9 cells transfected with plasmids carrying PCSK9 cDNA. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001