Figure 5. PAI-1 knockdown in the SCC9 cell line decreases migration, enhances proliferation and promotes apoptotic induction.

A. Expression of SERPINE1 in SCC9 and cells transduced with shRNAi (SCC9 shRNA004 and SCC9 shRNA159, as assessed by Western-Blot (above) or RT-PCR (bellow); B. Representative images showing changes in cell morphology after the inhibition of SERPINE1 expression; C. Transwell migration and D. proliferation assays in SCC9, SCC9 shRNA004 and SCC9 shRNA159 cells; E. Representative images of DAPI stained nuclei before and after 16 hours of 40 μM cisplatin treatment in SCC9 and shRNA transduced cells, showing higher apoptosis in PAI-1 downregulated cells; F. Western blot analysis of P-Akt, PI3K and ERK in SCC9, SCC9 shRNA004, UM-SCC-74B and 74BSerp1up cells; G. western blot analysis of P-Akt in cells treated during 48 hours with the AKT inhibitor MK-2206; H. Transwell migration assays in cells treated with the MK-2206 inhibitor; I. SERPINE1 and P-Akt protein expression in cells treated 48 hours with the SERPINE1 inhibitor PAI-039. J. Combination of cisplatin and AKT inhibitor MK2206 in UM-SCC-74B and 74BSerpE1up cells.*p < 0.05