Objective      To determine the effects of miR-125b on the sphere formation

clone formation

proliferation

apoptosis and migration of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs)

and investigate the regulative role of miR-125b on the self-renewal capacity of LCSCs.       Methods      The lentivirus expressing miR-125b was used to infect obtained LCSCs. Light microscope counting was employed to measure the sphere formation and clone formation in the infected LCSCs. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effect of miR-125b on the proliferation of LCSCs. DAPI staining and transwell chamber test was used to observe the effect of miR-125b on the cell apoptosis and migration.       Results      Compared with the control cells

miR-125b significant decreased sphere formation (0.0% vs 27.7%

P0.01)

inhibited the colony formation (6% vs 29%

P0.01)

promoted the cell apoptosis

and inhibited the migration ability in LCSCs after lentivirus infection (P0.01).       Conclusion        miR-125b exerts significant inhibitory effect on sphere and clone formation of LCSCs

indicating its negative role in the regulation of self-renewal capacity of the stem cells. It also can inhibit the migration and promote the apoptosis of LCSCs.