Overexpression of miR-142-5p induces cell apoptosis in HCC cells. The effects of the miR-142-5p aberrant expression on cell apoptosis were investigated. (A, B) The percentages of apoptotic cells in HepG2 cells were significantly increased by miR-142-5p overexpression, but statistically were decreased by miR-142-5p suppression. (C, D) The percentages of apoptotic cells in SMMC-7721 cells were markedly increased by miR-142-5p overexpression, but were remarkably decreased by miR-142-5p suppression. miR, microRNA. *p < 0.05 compared to the control group.