Fig. 2

Effects of knockdown of ANRIL on HCC cell viability and apoptosis in vitro. a The ANRIL expression level was determined by qPCR when HepG2 and Hep3B cells transfected with si-ANRIL. b MTT assays were used to determine the cell viability for si-ANRIL-transfected HepG2 and Hep3B cells. Values represented the mean ± s.d. from three independent experiments. c Colony-forming assays were conducted to determine the proliferation of si-ANRIL-transfected HepG2 and Hep3B cells. d Flow cytometry assays were performed to analyze the cell cycle progression when HCC cells transfected with si-ANRIL 24 h later. The bar chart represented the percentage of cells in G0/G1, S, or G2/M phase, as indicated. e Flow cytometry assays were performed to analyze the cell apoptosis when HCC cells transfected with si-ANRIL 48 h later. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01