Fig. 2

Effect of TRB3 knockdown on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of hypoxic PASMCs. PASMCs were transfected with lentiviral vectors encoding short hairpin RNAs targeting against rat TRB3(si-TRB3) or negative control(si-NC) for further analysis. A CCK-8 assays were performed to test cell viability after TRB3 knockdown in hypoxic PASMCs. B The EdU proliferation assay was used to measure cell proliferation. All images are × 400 magnification. C EdU‐positive cells were analyzed. D and E The expression of PCNA and Survivin was examined by western blot, and the gray value was quantified by ImageJ software. F Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Hoechst 33342 staining, and the percentage of apoptosis was quantified. G Crystal violet staining of PASMCs is presented at × 200 magnification for the Transwell assay, and the migrated cells were counted manually. H Apoptosis-related protein expression was evaluated and quantification of the analysis is shown. I The expression of MMP9 was evaluated. Data represent the mean ± SEM (n = 4). *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 compared to normoxic PASMCs transfected with si-NC. ^#P < 0.05 and ^##P < 0.01 compared to hypoxic PASMCs transfected with si-TRB3. si-NC, lentiviral vectors encoding the negative control sequence; si-TRB3, lentiviral vectors encoding the short-hairpin RNAs against rat TRB3; PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen; TRB3, Tribbles homolog 3; BAX, BCL2 associated X; Bcl2, B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2; MMP9, matrix metallopeptidase 9