Fig. 8. Elevated expression of miR-451a inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo. A, SMMC-7721 cells were subcutaneously injected into male NOD/SCID mice (n = 5). Tumor development was allowed to occur for 10 days, and then mice were peritumorally treated with miR-451a agomir or negative control (NC) (once every three days) for another 15 days. B, Tumors from miR-451a agomir- and NC-treated mice are shown. C-E, Approximate tumor weight (C), tumor volume (D), and body weight (E) of mice were measured. F, Expression of miR-451a in HCC xenografts was examined by quantitative PCR. G and H, The expression of LPIN1 in HCC xenografts was examined by western blotting (G) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining (H). I and J, Apoptosis in HCC xenografts was assessed by TUNEL assays (I) and IHC staining for CD31 (J). *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001.