Fig. 5: Knockdown of ATG5 or ATG7 relieved the apoptosis induced by m-THPC-PDT in CRC cells.

HCT116 and SW480 cells were transfected with 50 nmol/L siATG5 or siATG7 for 48 h, respectively. After that, cells were treated with 0.7 μmol/L m-THPC for 8 h, and then irradiated with a light dose of 3 J/cm2, followed by incubation without irradiation for 16 h. A–F Western blot analysis of ATG5, ATG7, MAP1LC3B-I, MAP1LC3B-II, and SQSTM1/p62 levels in HCT116 and SW480 cells. G, H Flow cytometry was performed to measure cell apoptosis. All data are presented as the mean ± SD, n = 3. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.