Fig. 3

Knockdown of MALAT1 inhibited the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by EMT. The expression of MALAT1 in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells was knocked down by transfecting with MALAT1 siRNAs or si-control. NC was used as control. The miR-142-3p inhibitor was used to knock down the level of miR-142-3p. Magnification, ×200. a The cell migration assay and matrigel invasion assay were performed to assess the migration potency of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells after the indicated transfection. Representative images of the invaded cells are shown. b After the cell migration assay, six fields within each chamber were photographed using an inverted microscope and camera, and migrating cells were counted in each field. The average number is shown. c After the matrigel invasion assay, six fields within each chamber were photographed using an inverted microscope and camera, and invading cells were counted in each field. The average number is shown. d The protein expression of vimentin and E-cadherin in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells after the indicated transfection for 48 h was evaluated by Western blot. The densitometry plot of results from the blots is shown. The relative expression levels were normalized to GAPDH. e Immunofluorescence assay assessed the protein levels of vimentin and E-cadherin in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells after the indicated transfection. Scale bar, 10 μm. Data represent three independent experiments (mean and SEM of triplicate samples). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. ***P < 0.001. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, GAPDH; EMT, epithelial cell-to-mesenchymal transition; SEM, standard error of the mean