Fig. 4: The function of circUBAP2 in the effects of CAFs-derived CXCL11 on HCC cells and the selection of mRNA related to the functions of circUBAP2.

A Silencing of circUBAP2 was achieved in MHCC-97H and Huh-7 cells by transfecting small interfering RNA targeting circUBAP2 (si-circUBAP2-1 or si-circUBAP2-2). Si-NC was transfected as a negative control. The transfection efficiency was confirmed by real-time PCR and si-circUBAP2-1 was chosen for further experiments for its better transfection efficiency. Then, MHCC-97H and Huh-7 cells were transfected with si-circUBAP2 and examined for B Cell migration by Transwell assay; C Cell migration by wound healing assay; D The protein levels of Vimentin and Twist was examined by Immunoblotting; E The concentrations of IL-1β and IL-17 in the culture medium by ELISA. F, G The Volcano plot and hierarchical clustering heatmap showing differentially expressed mRNAs in CXCL11-treated MHCC-97H based on RNA sequencing. Upregulated genes were applied for H Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling enrichment analysis and I Gene Ontology (GO) of biological process enrichment analysis. J The expression of IFIT1/IFIT3 in CXCL11-treated and untreated HCC cells based on RNA sequencing data. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, compared with the control group; ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01, compared with the si-NC group; ^$P < 0.05, ^$$P < 0.01, compared with the CXCL11 + si-circUBAP2 group.