Figure 1
From: miR-146a negatively regulates NK cell functions via STAT1 signaling
NK cell cytotoxicity is negatively associated with miR-146a expression levels. NK cells were isolated from CHB and HCC patients using a MACS NK cell isolation kit. (a) The cytotoxicity of NK cells to HepG2 cells was detected using an LDH cytotoxicity assay. HD (n=12), CHB (n=9) and HCC (n=9). (b) miR-146a expression levels were quantified by qPCR. The results were normalized to an endogenous control, RNU6B. HD (n=12), CHB (n=9) and HCC (n=13). (c) The correlation between the cytotoxicity of NK cell and the expression level of miR-146a (n=34). (d) Primary NK cells were treated with serum from CHB and HCC patients for 4 h, and then the expression of miR-146a was quantified by qPCR. Statistical significance was determined as *P<0.05; **P<0.01 compared with the control. CHB, chronic hepatitis B; HCC, hepatic carcinoma; HD, healthy donors; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; miR, microRNA; NK, natural killer; qPCR, quantitative PCR.
