Fig 4.

Knockdown of DUSP4 increased sorafenib sensitivity and activated the JNK signaling pathway. (A) DUSP4 was knocked down in SK-HEP-1 cells by siRNA and qRT-PCR was performed to analyze DUSP4 expression. (B, C) The viability and apoptosis of SK-HEP-1 cells transfected with DUSP4 siRNA or negative control siRNA were respectively measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometric analysis after treating with 0 or 10 µM sorafenib for 48 h. (D) Western blot analysis of DUSP4, JNK, ERK, p38, Bcl-2, Bax and β-tubulin were performed. (NC: negative control. siDUSP4: DUSP4 siRNA. SR10: 10 µM sorafenib) (*p < 0.05)