Figure 5.

Inhibition of STAT3 abolishes the protective effects of the miR-106a-5p inhibitor on ox-LDL-induced HUVEC apoptosis. HUVECs were co-transfected with a miR-106a-5p inhibitor and either si-STAT3 or STA-21 (a STAT3 inhibitor), following which they were treated with 80 µg/ml of ox-LDL for 48 h (si-scramble and DMSO groups used as controls). (A) ROS levels were detected using a ROS detection kit. (B) Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to detect cell viability. (C) Caspase-3 activity was tested using a fluorometric assay kit. (D) Cell apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 vs. blank group; ^##P<0.01 vs. ox-LDL group. STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; miR, microRNA; HUVECs, human umbilical vein endothelial cells; NC, negative control; ox-LDL, oxidized low-density; ROS, reactive oxygen species