Figure 2

STAT3 siRNA induces downregulation of STAT3 and its downstream targets with subsequent loss of viability and apoptosis of canine OSA cells. A) Canine OSA cell lines OSA8 and OSA16 were transfected with Lipofectamine 2000 alone, 50 pMol scrambled siRNA, or 50 pMol STAT3 siRNA and collected 48 hours post transfection. Protein lysates were generated and separated via SDS-PAGE. Western blotting for STAT3, VEGF, survivin and β-actin was performed. B) OSA8 and OSA16 were transfected with Lipofectamine 2000, scrambled siRNA, or STAT3 siRNA at 0 and 48 hours. Cell viability was assessed at 0, 72, or 96 hours post transfection using the Wst-1 assay. Values are reported as percentage of control wells. C) OSA8 and OSA16 were transfected with Lipofectamine 2000, scrambled siRNA, or STAT3 siRNA and generation of active caspase-3/7 was assessed 48 hours post transfection using the SensoLyte^® Homogeneous AMC Caspase-3/7 Assay kit. D) OSA8 cells were left untreated or transfected with STAT3 siRNA or scrambled siRNA and evaluated by digital photography 72 hours post transfection. *p < 0.05