The role of TRAF3 in the stabilization of NIK in DLBCL cells. (A) Cell lysates from a representative GCB-like (MS) or ABC-like (HB) DLBCL cells transfected with a TRAF3 expression vector or a control empty vector for 48 hours were probed with TRAF3 or NIK antibodies by Western blot analysis. Actin was used as a loading control. Relative protein level of each target molecule was measured with ImageJ densitometer software and normalized to the actin level. (B) Cell lysates from a representative GCB-like (MS) or ABC-like (HB) DLBCL cells transfected with TRAF3 shRNA or negative control shRNA were probed with TRAF3 or NIK antibodies by Western blot analysis. Actin was used as a loading control. Relative protein level of each target molecule was measured with ImageJ densitometer software and normalized to the actin level. (C) DLBCL cells (GCB-MS and SUDHL-4; ABC-HB and OCI-Ly3) were transfected with TRAF plasmid, TRAF3 shRNA, or negative control shRNA and cell proliferation was analyzed by [3H]-thymidine incorporation assays in vitro for 72 hours. The data shown are the means and ranges of triplicate samples relative to control samples of 2 independent experiments. Error bars represent SD.