Figure 7
Suppression of the SOX2 expression level in primary HNSCC stem-like cells decreases tumorigenicity in vivo. (A) Representative tumour growth (left) and a summary of the subcutaneous tumour growth ability (right) of HNSCC stem-like cells and of HNSCC stem-like cells transfected with shSOX2. Groups of mice were inoculated with control-HNSCC stem-like cells and shSOX2- HNSCC stem-like cells at 104 and 105 cells per injection, respectively. Engrafted mice were inspected weekly for tumour development by visual observation and palpation until 8 weeks postinjection. In the orthotopic tongue experiment, control-HNSCC stem-like cells and shSOX2- HNSCC stem-like cells(1 × 104 per animal) were engrafted directly into the anterior tongue and the mice were then examined every other day for the development of tongue tumours. (B) Photos of tongues bearing HNSCC stem-like cells and HNSCC stem-like cells transfected with shSOX2 (left) and a summary of the orthotopic tumour growth capacity of HNSCC stem-like cells and of HNSCC stem-like cells transfected with shSOX2 (right). (C) Ki-67 antibody staining of the tumour tissue that originated from injected HNSCC stem-like cells or HNSCC stem-like cells transfected with shSOX2, according to immunohistochemical staining (left) and its quantification (right). Nuclei were stained with haematoxylin. (D) The anti-CD44 antibody staining of tumour tissue that originated from injected HNSCC stem-like cells or HNSCC stem-like cells transfected with shSOX2,according to immunohistochemical staining (left) and its quantification (right). Nuclei were stained with haematoxylin.
