Figure 7. HPIP increases hepatoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through regulation of mTOR signaling.
(A) Cell proliferation assay for HepG2 cells transfected with HPIP or empty vector. Cells were treated with 20 nM or 200 nM rapamycin (Rap low or Rap high, respectively) for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the culture medium was changed to fresh drug-free medium, and cells were grown for the indicated times. (B) Western blot analysis of HepG2 cells from A. (C) Wound healing and (D) invasion assays for HepG2 cells transfected with HPIP or empty vector and treated with rapamycin for 24 hours or the indicated times. Scale bar: 100 μm. (E) Immunoblot analysis of HepG2 cells transfected with HPIP or empty vector and treated with rapamycin for 24 hours. Morphologic changes are shown in the photographs. Scale bar: 100 μm. All values shown are mean ± SD of triplicate measurements and have been repeated 3 times with similar results (*P < 0.01).