Fig. 6.

Overexpression of IGFBP1 enhanced the effect of UA on FOXO3a expression and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and restored UA-inhibited cell growth in cells silencing of endogenous IGFBP1 gene. a, Bel-7402 and HepG2 cells were transfected with control or IGFBP1 siRNAs (50 nM each) for 24 h prior to exposure of the cells to UA (25 μM) for an additional 24 h. Afterwards, IGFBP1 protein expression and cell viability were determined by Western blot and MTT assays. b-c, Bel-7402 and HepG2 cells were transfected with control and IGFBP1 overexpression vectors for 24 h before exposing the cells to UA (25 μM) for an additional 2 and 24 h, respectively. Afterwards, IGFBP1, FOXO3a protein levels and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were determined by Western blot. d, Bel-7402 and HepG2 cells silenced of IGFBP1 by siRNA previously were transfected with control and IGFBP1 overexpression vectors for 24 h before exposing the cells to UA (25 μM) for an additional 24 h. Afterwards, IGFBP1 protein expressions and cell viability were determined by Western blot and MTT assays. Values in bar graphs were given as the mean ± SD from three independent experiments performed in triplicate. *Indicates significant difference as compared to the untreated control group (P < 0.05). **Indicates significant difference from UA treated alone (P < 0.05)