RNA extraction and reverse transcription Total RNA was extracted from cell pellets using RNAzol reagent (MRC) and cDNA was synthesized using Primesoript RT Master Mix (Takara).
Real time qPCR qPCR was performed using SYBR qPCR Master Mix on LightCycler 480 II system.
Data analysis The fold change (FC) of experimental group versus control group was calculated. △Ct was calculated as △Ct = Ct (test gene) – Ct (Ref. gene). △△Ct was calculated as △△Ct = △Ct (experimental group) – △Ct (control group). The FC of a test gene in experimental group versus control group was calculated as FC = 2ˆ(-△△Ct). Each gene tested in triplicates in every independent experiment, and all experiments were triplicated.