Fig. 6

Silencing of LINC00221 inhibits the proliferation and invasion but accelerates apoptosis of HCC (Huh7 and MHCC97-H) cells by upregulating let-7a-5p and suppression of MMP11. The Huh7 and MHCC97-H cells were transfected with let-7a-5p mimic, si-LINC00221 or co-transfected with si-LINC00221 and si-MMP11 or si-LINC00221 and oe-MMP11. a The MMP11 protein expression in Huh7 and MHCC97-H cells examined by Western blot analysis. b The proliferation of Huh7 and MHCC97-H cells assessed by MTT assay. c The apoptosis of Huh7 and MHCC97-H cells examined by flow cytometry. d Number of invaded Huh7 and MHCC97-H cells tested by Transwell assay. e Bcl-2, Bax, cyclin D1, and CDK4 protein expression in Huh7 and MHCC97-H cells measured by Western blot analysis. Cell experiment was independently repeated 3 times. *p < 0.05 vs. the miR-NC group; ^#p < 0.05 vs. the si-LINC00221 + si-NC group; ^&p < 0.05 vs. the si-LINC00221 + oe-NC group. Comparison among multiple groups was made using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test while data at different time points were compared using two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test