Figure 2 | Scientific Reports

The role of miR-155 in countering inflammation and lipid uptake by repressing the expression of TNF-α.

(A,C) The expression of miR-155 was examined by qRT-PCR for different times (0, 6, 12, 24, 48 h) following transfection of a miR-155 mimic, inhibitor and control (100 nM) into macrophages that had been previously differentiated from THP-1 cells. (B,D) After transfection of the miR-155 mimic, inhibitor and control (100 nM) into macrophages, these cells were then treated with oxLDL (50 μg/ml) for 24 h and the secreted protein concentration of TNF-α was determined by ELISA. (E,F) Lipid uptake was measured by Oil Red O staining after transfection of the miR-155 mimic, inhibitor and control (100 nM) into macrophages, then treated with oxLDL (50 μg/ml) for 24 h (magnification 400 × ). ***P < 0.001. Results are presented as mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments as determined by Student’s t test (A–D).