2.6. Transwell cell migration and invasion assays

Two‐chamber plates with 8 μm pore size insert were modified for cell migration and invasion assays. Inserts coated with or without Matrigel were applied for migration or invasion assays, respectively. After transfection, cells were incubated in the transwell plates for 15 hours (Migration assay) or 24 hours (Invasion assay), then fixed by 5% glutaraldehyde for 10 minutes, and stained by 1% crystal violet in 2% ethanol for 20 minutes. The number of cells penetrating through the pores was recorded under a microscope and analyzed using ImageJ software. Experiments were repeated for three times.