E) LIF-induced BCE cell growth was abolished by STAT3 knockdown. BCE cells with STAT3 knockdown were cultured with LIF (10 ng/ml, Sigma) or vehicle. Cell proliferation was analyzed after 3 days. Fluorescence reading at 590 nm for each vehicle group was set as 1, n=3. siNegative, negative control siRNA not targeting any known genes. Data information: Bars and error bars represent mean ± SD. All experiments were carried out in three independent studies. Two-way ANOVA was used as statistical test. 