Fig. 5. miR-338-5p inhibits ABCB1 expression by targeting the EGFR/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

a The expression levels of P-gp were determined by western blotting after transfection with EGFR siRNA. b P-gp was increased in cells treated with the EGFR vector. c–d The P-gp levels in cells after co-transfection with miR-338-5p and EGFR vector. Western blot showing expression levels of p-EGFR, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 in cells transfected with miR-338-5p mimics e–f or inhibitors g–h. i–j HCC cells were treated with 15 μM U0126 (an inhibitor of ERK1/2 signaling) for 24 h, and then, the protein levels of genes were detected by western blot analysis. Student’s t-test (two-tailed) or one-way analysis of variance was employed to analyze the data. Data in all experiments are presented as the means ± SD of three independent experiments. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 vs. NC, Vector or Ctrl