Fig. 2

The effect of AGO2 knockdown on proliferation, apoptosis and migration of NPC cells. a Confirmation of AGO2 knockdown in CNE2Z cells transfected with AGO2 shRNAs or control shRNA by western blot assay. b Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay in CNE2Z cells transfected with AGO2 shRNAs or control shRNA at different time points (24, 48, 72 and 96 h). The experiments were repeated at least three times, and the points represent the mean values of triplicate tests (mean ± SD). ***P < 0.0001, compared with the controls (ANOVA test). c Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometric analysis of annexin V-APC/7-AAD staining in CNE2Z cells transfected with AGO2 shRNAs or control shRNA. Representative flow cytometric analysis are shown (left panel). The Annexin V-positive cells were regarded as apoptotic cells. The experiments were repeated at least three times, and the histogram (right panel) represents the mean values of apoptotic cells from triplicate tests (mean ± SD). ***P < 0.0001, compared with the controls (Unpaired t test). d Cell migration was evaluated by transwell assay in CNE2Z cells transfected with AGO2 shRNAs or control shRNA. Representative results are shown (left panel). Magnification: 400 ×. The experiments were repeated at least three times, and the histogram (right panel) represents the mean numbers of transferred cells from triplicate tests (mean ± SD). ***P < 0.0001, compared with the controls (Unpaired t test). CCK-8, Cell Counting Kit-8; SD, standard deviation