Fig. 2

miR-125b-5p inhibits HCC cell proliferation. a miR-125b-5p levels were negatively associated with HCC cell proliferation according to GSEA of the TCGA cohort (enrichment score = − 0.731; P = 0.002). Transfection efficiency of the b miR-125b-5p mimic and c inhibitor in HCC cells according to qRT-PCR (n = 3; Student’s t test). d–g Proliferation of HCC cells transfected with miR-125b-5p mimic or inhibitor according to CCK-8 analysis (n = 3; factorial design ANOVA). EdU assays showing the proportion of S-phase cell after transfection of h miR-125b-5p mimic or i inhibitor. Nuclei were stained with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, and nuclei of S-phase cells were stained with Apollo dye to react with EdU. j, k Statistical analysis of EdU incorporation (n = 3; Student’s t test). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001