MicroRNA-143 suppresses gastric cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis by targeting COX-2

Figure 2 Transfection with microRNA-143 inhibits gastric cancer cell viability and induces apoptosis. A: An Alamar Blue assay was performed 3 d after transfection with microRNA-143-5p (miR-143-5p) or miR-143-3p to measure the viability of MKN-1 and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells. The results showed significant decreases in cell viability following transfection with either miR-143-5p or miR-143-3p (^aP < 0.05); this decrease was greater after miR-143-5p transfection than after miR-143-3p (^cP < 0.05); B: Cell counts performed 3 d after transfection into MKN-1 and BGC-823 gastric cancer cells showed decreased cell numbers after transfection with either miR-143-5p or miR-143-3p (^aP < 0.05). Consistent with the results of the Alamar Blue assay, the decrease in cell number after miR-143-5p transfection was greater than that after miR-143-3p transfection (^cP < 0.05); C and D: An Annexin V/PE cell apoptosis assay revealed increased apoptosis in gastric cancer cells after transfection with either miR-143-5p or miR-143-3p (^aP < 0.05). Cells transfected with miR-143-5p had a significantly higher apoptosis rate than those transfected with miR-143-3p (^cP < 0.05); E: Western blots of PARP protein in MKN-1 and BGC-823 cell lines at 3 d after transfection with miR-143-5p or miR-143-3p. GAPDH was used as a control. The results showed increased expression of cleaved PARP after miR-143-5p and miR-143-3p transfection. GAPDH: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. PARP: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase.