Figure 4. Upregulation of TIMP-1 expression is responsible for the MMP-2 inhibition by genipin in HCC cells.
A shows that inhibition of TIMP-1 expression by RNA interference abolishes inhibition of MMP-2 activity by genipin. Cells were transfected with either scr siRNA or siRNA against TIMP-1 followed by genipin treated for 24H. The suppression of TIMP-1 by siRNA was verified as Fig. 3C shows. Medium was then collected for gelatin zymography analysis. Intensity of the band was quantified. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 when compared with control; B shows that inhibition of TIMP-1 attenuates genipin-suppressed HCC cell motility. Distance between the gap was quantified. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 when compared with control; C shows that inhibition of TIMP-1 expression attenuates HCC cell invasiveness suppressed by genipin. The invaded cell number was quantified. *p<0.05, **p<0.01 when compared with control.
