Fig. 1

High-throughput screening identifies microRNAs that control HCC invasiveness. a Steps followed for identification of microRNAs with both functional and clinical significance in HCC. b Strategy workflow: A library of 316 microRNAs was transfected in SNU-449 liver cancer cells and their invasiveness was measured 48 h post transfection in Boyden chamber invasion plates. c Screen data plotted as different microRNAs transfected in SNU-449 cells (x-axis) and their invasiveness (cells/field) compared to scrambled sequence controls (no effect, value = 50) (y-axis). The red circle represents miR-9, while the blue and yellow circles the microRNA negative controls (miR-NC1, miR-NC2). d SNU-449 cells stained with crystal violet in BioCoat Matrigel invasion chambers after treatment with miR-NC1, miR-NC and miR-9. Invading cells were fixed and stained with 0.1 % crystal violet, 24 h post-seeding. The cells that migrated through the filter were quantified by counting the entire area of each filter, using a grid and an Optech microscope at a 20X magnification