Cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry with an Annexin V-phycoerythrin (PE)/7-aminoactinomycin D (7AAD) kit (BD Biosciences, NJ, USA) as published in our paper.24 (link) The cells and culture media were collected and centrifuged, and the supernatant was discarded. Next, the cells were rinsed with PBS 3 times. The cells were resuspended in 10 mmol/L binding buffer and incubated with Annexin V-PE/7AAD in the dark for 15 min. Groups of 10,000 cells were analysed using a BD LSRFortessa (BD Biosciences).