MiR-9a-5p regulates proliferation and migration of hepatic stellate cells under pressure through inhibition of Sirt1

Figure 3 MiR-9a-5p regulates the proliferation, migration and activation of hepatic stellate cells under pressure overload. A: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) transfected with a miR-9a-5p inhibitor or a negative control were exposed to increased pressure. Then, the cells were seeded in 96-well plates, cultured for 72 h and observed with a microplate reader at 0 , 12, 24 and 72 h. ^aP < 0.05 vs control; B: The cell cycle analysis of each group was conducted by FACS. ^bP < 0.01 vs control; C: Down-regulation of miR-9a-5p inhibits HSC migration by about 40% assessed by Transwell assay. ^bP < 0.01 vs control; D: The mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA and Col1 were decreased by a miR-9a-5p inhibitor, and were increased by a miR-9a-5p mimic. Data are shown as the mean ± SD. Triplicate assays were performed and ^bP < 0.01 vs control.