FoxM1 overexpression promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Figure 3 Hepatocyte growth factor up-regulates the expression of forkhead box protein M1, and induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. A and B: HepG2 and HUH-7 (low metastatic potential) cells were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for 48 h. The protein and mRNA levels of forkhead box protein M1 (FoxM1), E-cadherin and vimentin were measured by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A densitometric analysis was performed, and the protein/mRNA levels of FoxM1, E-cadherin and vimentin in negative control cells were set to 100% (^aP < 0.05 vs HepG2 control; ^cP < 0.05 vs HUH-7 control). Glyceraldehyde-3-phospate dehydrogenase mRNA was used for normalization; C: HepG2 and HUH-7 cells were treated with PBS or HGF for 48 h, and the typical morphology changes was measured using a light microscope; D: HepG2 and HUH-7 cells were treated with PBS or HGF for 48 h, and the invasion changes was measured by Transwell assay (^aP < 0.05 vs control).