Fig. 3

ApMNKQ2@PEI–IONPs potentiate the apMNKQ2– and PEI–IONP-dependent inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cell migration. a Transwell migration assay in which cells were incubated on 8 μM pore inserts in cell culture medium containing 2% FBS alone, or the apMNKQ2, the PEI–IONPs or the nanoconjugates. The inserts were then maintained in culture medium with 10% FBS for 24 h. The figure shows representative microphotographs of stained transmigrated MDA-MB-231 cells. b Quantification of the migrating MDA-MB-231 cells in transwell migration assays: two-tailed Mann–Whitney test, ^**p < 0.01, ^***p < 0.001. c SGK1 and phospho(Thr346)-NDRG1 in MDA-MB-231 cells in a representative western blot. d Summary of SGK1 and phospho(Thr346)-NDRG1 expression in MDA-MB-231 cell lysates treated for 24 h with the apMNKQ2@PEI–IONPs, equivalent to apMNKQ2 or PEI–IONPs. The graphs represent three independent experiments. e MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 mRNA expression in MDA-MB-231 cell lysates treated for 24 h with apMNKQ2@PEI–IONPs, equivalent to apMNKQ2 or PEI–IONPs. f TIMP-1 quantification in the supernatant of MDA-MB-231 cells treated for 24 h with apMNKQ2@PEI–IONPs, equivalent to apMNKQ2 or PEI–IONPs. The graphs represent three independent experiments