Decreased STAT4 indicates poor prognosis and enhanced cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Figure 4 Western blot analysis of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells compared to normal hepatocyte (L02) cells. A: GAPDH was used as a loading control. Each experiment was repeated at least 3 times; B: Expression of STAT4 and cell cycle-related molecules in proliferating HCC cells. HepG2 cells were synchronized via serum starvation for 72 h. Upon serum refeeding, cell lysates were prepared and analyzed via Western blot using antibodies directed against STAT4 and cyclin D1. GAPDH was used as a control for protein load and integrity. S: Serum starvation; R: Serum refeeding; C: Flow cytometric quantification of the cell cycle status in HepG2 cells. The cells were synchronized at G1 via serum starvation for 72 h; then, progression into the cell cycle was induced by adding medium containing 10% FBS for the indicated period (R4 h, R8 h, R12 h, or R24 h). STAT4: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma.