Fig. 6: USF2 suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells by modulating the TXNRD1.

A Bel-7402 cells were transiently transfected with USF2 or TXNRD1, cell proliferation abilities were measured by cell growth curve and CCK-8 assay. B HLF cells with USF2 knockdown were stably transfected shRNA targeting TXNRD1. Proliferation abilities of indicated cells were measured by cell growth curve and CCK-8 assay. C–D Cells migration and invasion abilities of indicated cells in (A and B) were determined by transwell assay. Representative images were shown in left, and the quantitative analysis was shown in right. E Cell lysates were prepared and subjected to western blotting for Snail, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, Occludin, p21, p-mTOR, mTOR, p-Akt, Akt, USF2, TXNRD1. β-actin was used as a loading control. F Subcutaneous tumors derived from shNC, shUSF2 or shUSF2 + TXNRD1 HLF cells were photographed. G Average weight and volume of excised tumors were determined. H Lung metastasis in nude mice inoculated with shNC, shUSF2 or shUSF2 + TXNRD1 HLF cells via tail vein for 8 weeks was constructed. Representative HE stained lung tissue sections was presented. I Statistical analysis of the incidence of lung metastases is shown (left). The number of visible metastatic nodules in each group is counted in dot chat (right). Data represent the mean ± SD or mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. P values were calculated by One-way ANOVA.