Fig. 3

AGR2 is implicated in sorafenib-regulated cell viability and apoptosis. A–C The viability of Hep3B, HepG2, and Huh7 cells with silenced AGR2 was examined after 24 h in the presence or absence of sorafenib (5 μM) using MTT assay. The AGR2 levels (A(a), B(a), C(a)) and cell viability (A(b), B(b), C(b)) results are presented. AGR2 supports HCC cell viability. D–H HCC cell apoptosis was assessed after AGR2 silencing D–F or stimulation with 60 ng/ml recombinant AGR2 (rAGR2) G, H in the presence of 10 μM sorafenib. The quantification of apoptotic cells is shown (D(b), E(b), F(b)). AGR2 inhibition, using either siRNA transfection or recombinant protein treatment, decreases cell apoptosis. siNC: negative control siRNA, siRNA vector only; siAGR2: AGR2 siRNA