ZnAs@SiO2 NPs inhibit stemness and EMT in HCC cells in vitro. (A,B) Typical images of tumor spheroids forming ability of MHCC97L and Hep3b cells after treatment with PBS, ATO, or ZnAs@SiO2 NPs for 24h. Scale bar, 50 µm. (C, D) Quantification of tumor spheroids forming ability of MHCC97L and Hep3b cells after treatment with PBS, ATO, or ZnAs@SiO2 NPs for 24 h. (E, F) Protein levels of stemness markers, CD133, Sox-2, and Oct-4, in MHCC97L and Hep3b cells after treatment with ATO or ZnAs@SiO2 NPs at indicated time points. (G, H) Protein levels of EMT markers, E-cadherin, Snail, Slug, and Vimentin in MHCC97L and Hep3b cells after treatment with ATO or ZnAs@SiO2 NPs at indicated time points. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001.