Figure 6. Reintroduction of STAT3 abrogated the effect of miR-769-5p overexpression on the malignant characteristics of Y79 and WERI-RB-1 cells. (A) Either the STAT3-overexpressing plasmid pc-STAT3 or the empty pcDNA3.1 vector along with agomir-769-5p were transfected into Y79 and WERI-RB-1 cells. The expression of STAT3 protein was measured via western blotting. *P < 0.05 vs. the agomir-NC group, #P < 0.05 vs. group agomir-769-5p+pcDNA3.1. (B, C) The proliferative and colony-forming abilities of the above-mentioned cells were examined using the CCK-8 and colony formation assays, respectively. *P < 0.05 vs. the agomir-NC group, #P < 0.05 vs. group agomir-769-5p+pcDNA3.1. (D, E) Flow-cytometric analysis was performed to investigate the apoptosis and cell cycle statues of Y79 and WERI-RB-1 cells after cotransfection with agomir-769-5p and either pc-STAT3 or pcDNA3.1. *P < 0.05 vs. the agomir-NC group, #P < 0.05 vs. group agomir-769-5p+pcDNA3.1. (F, G) Transwell migration and invasion assays were carried out to assess the migratory and invasive abilities of Y79 and WERI-RB-1 cells treated as described above. *P < 0.05 vs. the agomir-NC group, #P < 0.05 vs. group agomir-769-5p+pcDNA3.1.