Long non-coding RNA GAS5 promotes neuronal apoptosis in spinal cord injury via the miR-21/PTEN axis

Figure 5 Growth arrest-specific transcript 5 activates the PTEN/AKT pathway via microRNA 21. A: Relative expression levels of growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), cleaved caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), AKT, and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) in PC12 cells transfected with GAS5 and microRNA (miR)-21 mimics (n = 3 per group); B: Relative protein expression levels of PTEN, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, AKT, and p-AKT in PC12 cells transfected with GAS5 and miR-21 mimics (n = 3 per group); C: TUNEL staining of PC12 cells transfected with GAS5 and miR-21 mimics. Data are presented as the mean ± SD. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, and ^cP < 0.001 vs pcDNA group; ^dP < 0.05, ^eP < 0.01 and ^fP < 0.001 vs pcDNA-GAS5 + negative control group.