Fig. 3

TLR4 downregulation by siRNA-mediated silencing in HepG2.2.15 cells. a Cell proliferation was assessed by the CCK assay. HepG2.2.15 cells expressing TLR4-1 or TLR4-2 siRNAs showed a significantly reduced proliferation rate compared with those harboring TLR4-3 or scrambled control siRNAs. b Colony numbers was assessed by colony formation assay. The quantitative analyses revealed HepG2.2.15 cells expressing indicated siRNAs showed a significantly reduced colony formation rate compared with those harboring normal or scrambled control siRNAs. c Cell cycle distribution was assessed by Cell Cycle Analysis Kit. HepG2.2.15 cells expressing indicated siRNAs showed a significantly increased rate in the G2 phase compared with those harboring normal or scrambled control siRNAs. d Early apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Early apoptotic cells were increased in HepG2.2.15 cells expressing indicated siRNAs compared with those harboring normal or scrambled control siRNAs. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, compared with Control siRNA group, n = 3