Fig. 4

The target of let-7i-3p was LEF1 (*p < 0.05, a significant difference existed between these two groups). a The sequence of the LEF1 3′UTR could bind to the sequence of let-7i-3p. The predicted binding sequences of the LEF1 3′UTR were conserved among many species. b The sequences of let-7i-3p were conserved among other species. c The results of dual-luciferase reporter assays after overexpressing let-7i-3p. The luciferase activity of hASCs cotransfected with the let-7i-3p mimic and LEF1-WT was increased 1.58 ± 0.37-fold (p = 0.011) compared with that in the miR-Ctrl inhibitor and LEF1-WT group. The luciferase activity of hASCs cotransfected with the let-7i-3p inhibitor and LEF1-Mu was not significantly different (p = 0.15) compared to that in the miR-Ctrl mimic and LEF1-Mu group. d The results of dual-luciferase reporter assays after inhibition of let-7i-3p. The luciferase activity of hASCs cotransfected with the let-7i-3p inhibitor and LEF1-WT was decreased 2.19 ± 0.49-fold (p = 0.007) compared with that in the miR-Ctrl mimic and LEF1-WT group. The luciferase activity of hASCs cotransfected with the let-7i-3p mimic and LEF1-WT was not significantly different (p = 0.81) from that in the miR-Ctrl mimic and LEF1-WT group. e LEF1 expression in hASCs after overexpressing or inhibiting let-7i-3p was analyzed by qPCR. LEF1 mRNA levels were decreased 2.43 ± 0.24-fold (p = 0.013) in hASCs transfected with the let-7i-3p mimic compared to that in the miR-Ctrl mimic group and increased 1.66 ± 0.07-fold (p = 0.002) in hASCs transfected with the let-7i-3p inhibitor compared to that in the miR-Ctrl inhibitor group. f LEF1 expression in hASCs after overexpressing or inhibiting let-7i-3p was analyzed by western blot. The LEF1 protein level was decreased 1.92 ± 0.63-fold (p = 0.016) in hASCs transfected with let-7i-3p mimic compared to that in the miR-Ctrl mimic group and increased 1.43 ± 0.10-fold (p = 0.013) in hASCs transfected with the let-7i-3p inhibitor compared to that in the miR-Ctrl inhibitor group