Fig. 2.

Effects of regulating miR-223 on viable cell numbers. a Regulating miR-223 by transfection. Cells were transfected with miR-223-Down antagomir (shortened to anti-miR-223) or miR-223 mimics or corresponding mock agent (mock transfection) for 24 h, then the miR-223 levels were determined by PCR to confirm if transfection was successful. b and c miR-223’s effects on viable cell numbers. After cells were transfected with anti-miR-223 (b) or miR-223 mimics (c) for 24 h, the cells were washed with PBS and then cultured with celastrol at different doses or with DMSO for 60 h. Cell numbers were determined by flow cytometry. Tests were repeated three times, data is presented as mean ± SD, statistics were determined between specific transfection and mock transfection, or as demonstrated in figures. * indicates P < 0.05, while ** and *** indicate P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively