Figure 4 | Bone Research

Figure 4

From: Loss of the vitamin D receptor in human breast and prostate cancers strongly induces cell apoptosis through downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Figure 4

VDR knockdown in PC3 cells reduces tumor growth in vivo. (a–c) Orthotopic implantation (soft tissue, male nude mice). Tumors derived from PC3-VDR-KD cells grew significantly slower than those induced by PC3-NT cells (n=9) (a). At study endpoint (day 69 p.i.) tumor weight (b) was reduced by 40% and the proportion of apoptotic cells (c) was increased by 125% in PC3-VDR-KD compared to PC3-NT tumors (n=10). Asterisks denote significant difference from controls (*P<0.05). Data are mean±s.e.m. (d–j) Intra-tibial implantation: Lytic lesion size (d,e) and tumor area (f) at endpoint (day 31 p. i.) were significantly smaller in mice implanted with PC3-VDR-KD cells compared to those implanted with PC3-NT cells (n=12). Compared to NT controls, tumors derived from PC3-VDR-KD cells were characterized by increased apoptosis (g) and lower mitotic activity (h), and at the bone/tumor interface exhibited increased total and cortical bone area (i,j) and reduced osteoclast number (k). Asterisks denote significance difference from controls (*P<0.05; **P<0.01). Data are mean±s.e.m.

Back to article page