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Fig. 5 | Cell Communication and Signaling

Fig. 5

From: Hepatocellular carcinoma cells remodel the pro-metastatic tumour microenvironment through recruitment and activation of fibroblasts via paracrine Egfl7 signaling

Fig. 5

Egfl7 exhibits a potent ability to recruit and activate fibroblasts in HCC. A Transwell migration assays were used to detect the migratory ability of liver fibroblasts (LFs) after cocultured with HCCLM3shEgfl7, SMMC-7721Egfl7, or control cells or recombinant Egfl7 protein (rEgfl7). B, C Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting detected α-SMA expression in LFs after cocultured with HCCLM3shEgfl7, SMMC-7721Egfl7, their control cells or recombinant Egfl7 protein (rEgfl7). D Collagen gel contraction assays confirmed LF contraction ability after cocultured with indicated cells or rEgfl7. E Orthotopic tumours of mice were constructed using HCCLM3shEgfl7, SMMC-7721Egfl7 and their control cells with RFP gene expression. Dual immunofluorescence assay of orthotopic tumours showed red HCC cell and green CAF infiltration (α-SMA). F Immunohistochemistry staining showed α-SMA expression in orthotopic tumours from HCCLM3shEgfl7, SMMC-7721Egfl7 and their control cells. G Masson’s trichrome staining showed desmoplastic stroma in orthotopic tumours derived from HCCLM3shEgfl7, SMMC-7721Egfl7 and their control cells. BSA, bovine serum albumin; rEgfl7, recombinant Egfl7 protein (5 μg/mL). ***P < 0.001

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Cell Communication and Signaling

ISSN: 1478-811X