Fig. 4

The miR-377-3p/CPT1C axis regulates the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells mainly through FAO. A HepG2 cells were transfected with CPT1C expression plasmid or empty vector and treated with indicated dose of Etomoxir. Cells were stained with BODIPY 493/503 and the lipid droplet content was determined by flow cytometry. Eto, Etomoxir. Graphs at the right panel show relative ratio of positive cells. Data shown are mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments. B The proliferation curve of HepG2 and MHCC97H cells transfected with miR-377-3p inhibitor or scramble and treated with Etomoxir (5 μM) as indicated. Western blot analysis shows CPT1C expression. RT-qPCR analysis indicates miR-377-3p expression. C, D Wound scratch healing (C) and invasion (D) assays of HepG2 and MHCC97H cells after transfection as in (B). Scale bar 50 μm. Histograms show relative cell migration and invasion. The values of the control groups in HepG2 and MHCC97H cells were set to 1. Data are mean ± SD (n = 3). **p < 0.01