Fig. 4. Restored STAT3 expression inhibits the protective effects of miR-297 on HUVECs. (A) HUVECs were co-transfected with miR-297 mimics and pcDNA3.1-STAT3. After administration of 100 ng/mL LPS for 24 h, all proteins were measured using Western blot analysis. (B) Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometric analysis. (C) The percentage of apoptotic cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry analysis. Each experiment was performed in triplicate independently. Asterisks indicated statistically significant differences. Data was represented as means ± SD. * P < 0.001, v.s. control.