Figure 1. Gain-of function of miR-200c led to down-regulation of IL8.

Bar graphs in figure 1A show the relative expression of miR-200c and IL8 in leiomyoma (L) and matched myometrium (M) (N = 49). Relative expression of IL8 mRNA (Fig. 1B) and IL8 content (Fig. 1C) determined by QRT-PCR and ELISA of culture conditioned media of LSMC transfected with pre-miR-200c, anti-miR-200c or negative control (preNC or antiNC) for 48 hrs and 72 hrs respectively. Figure 1D shows relative luciferase activity in LSMC co-transfected with pGL3 construct carrying a 3′UTR fragment of IL8, firefly luciferase reporters, pRL-TK and pre-miR-200c or preNC. The ratio of firefly:Renilla was determined and reported as relative luciferase activity as compared to preNC. Sequence alignment of miR-200c seed regions and IL8 mRNAs target sites at their 3′UTRs with the coordinated positions are shown at the top of graph. The data are reported as mean ± SEM of experiments performed using 3 to 5 sets of isolated LSMC prepared from leiomyoma from three different patients. The results were analyzed using non-parametric student t-test and corresponding lines with asterisks on the bars denote statistical significance.