Figure 3

Propofol stimulated miR-142-3p shuttling from macrophages to HCC cells. The level of miR-142-3p was determined (A) in TAMs from tumor-bearing mice injected with propofol, (B) in MVs from propofol-treated TAMs and (C) in Hepa1-6 cells treated with MVs from propofol-treated TAMs. (D) Hepa1-6 cells were co-cultured with TAMs for 48 h. Cell invasiveness was measured using a transwell invasion assay. The invasion of Hepa1-6 cells was assessed by counting the cells in the basolateral side of the transwell filters under a light microscope. The level of miR-142-3p was determined (E) in Raw 264.7 cells treated with different concentration of propofol for 24 h and (F) in MVs from Raw 264.7 cells. (G) Hepa1-6 cells were incubated with MVs from propofol-treated Raw 264.7 cells for 48 h. The invasion of Hepa1-6 cells was assessed. (H) After transfection of RAC1 expressing plasmid for 24 h, Hepa1-6 cells were treated with MVs from propofol-treated Raw 264.7 cells for 48 h. The invasion of Hepa1-6 cells was assessed. (I) The level of miR-142-3p was measured in Hepa1-6 cells treated with different concentration of propofol for 24 h. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01, indicate significant differences from control.