Research Paper Volume 12, Issue 2 pp 1643—1655

Figure 4. MiR-223-3p is involved in the effects of hsa_circ_0070963 on HSCs activation. (A) MiR-223-3p was analyzed in primary HSCs isolated from NC or CCl₄-treated mice. The mRNA expression of miR-223-3p in HSCs was detected by qRT-PCR after transfection with a miR-223-3p mimic (B) or inhibitor (C). (D, E) Evaluation of cell proliferation LX2 cells transfected with a miR-223-3p mimic (D) or inhibitor (E) using the CCK-8 assay. (F, G) α-SMA and Col1A1 protein levels in LX2 cells transfected with a miR-223-3p mimic (F) or inhibitor (G) were measured by western blot. (H, I) FN and Col4 protein levels in LX2 cells transfected with a miR-223-3p mimic (H) or inhibitor (I) were quantified by western blot. (J) MiR-223-3p reversed the inhibitory effect of hsa_circ_0070963 on cell proliferation, as shown by the CCK-8 assay. (K) MiR-223-3p rescued the downregulation of α-SMA and ColA1 induced by hsa_circ_0070963 overexpression. Data are presented as means ± SD of three experiments (^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.01, and ^***p < 0.001).