Research Paper Volume 11, Issue 13 pp 4463—4477

Figure 4. Identification of STAT3 as a direct target gene of let-7f-5p. (A) Sequence pairing between mature let-7f-5p and the human STAT3 3’-UTR. All of the nucleotides of the seed sequence for the binding site are conserved in several species, including Homo sapiens, Pan trogodytes, Macaca mulatta, Mus musculus, Oryctolagus cuniculus. The predicted free energy values of the hybrids are indicated. (B) Western blot analysis of STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein expression levels in CD4⁺ T cells from MS patients (n = 6) and HC (n = 6); (B) representative images; (C–D) quantitative analysis of STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein level. (E) RT-PCR analysis of STAT3 mRNA levels in CD4⁺ T cells from MS patients and HC. (* p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001)