Fig. 3.

HGF in CM mediates sorafenib resistance conferred by M2 macrophages. a M2 macrophages expressed and secreted much higher HGF than that of M1 macrophages as determined by RT-qPCR (at mRNA level) and by ELISA assays (protein in CM) after macrophages were cultured in serum-free medium for 48 h. b Recombinant human HGF (50 ng/ml) reduced the inhibitory efficacy of sorafenib on the proliferation of SMMC-7721 or Hep3B cells as measured by CCK-8 assays. c Colony formation assays showing recombinant HGF impaired sorafenib efficacy on suppression of SMMC-7721 or Hep3B proliferation. d Transwell assays showing recombinant HGF significantly increased the migration of SMMC-7721 or Hep3B cells. e Recombinant HGF impaired the suppressive efficacy of sorafenib on the migration SMMC-7721 or Hep3B cells. N = 3, mean ± SEM, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001