Fig. 2: RORα/γ agonists inhibit CRC growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.

A The viability of CRC cell lines was measured with an MTS assay (n = 3). Cells were treated with SR1078 at the indicated concentrations and for the indicated times. B Colony formation assay of CRC cells treated with DMSO or 10 μM SR1078 (n = 3). The colonies were counted. Cell viability (C) and colony formation (D) was detected in NAFCBS-treated CRC cells. The concentration used in colony formation assay is 100 μM. E–G Representative images and growth curves of subcutaneous tumours treated with vehicle or SR1078 in nude mice (n = 5) (D). The tumour weights are shown in G. H–J In two PDX models, the effect of SR1078 on tumour growth was evaluated (n = 5). K, L Transwell assays of CRC cells treated with DMSO or 10 μM SR1078 (n = 3). The migrated cells were counted. Scale bars=200 μm. M, N Nude mice were treated with vehicle or 20 mg/kg SR1078 after tail vein injection of CRC cells (n = 6). Lung metastases were evaluated after 8 weeks. Representative H&E staining of lung tissues is shown (M), and metastatic nodules were counted (N). Scale bars=100 μm. The data are presented as the mean ± SD values. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001; Student’s t-test in two groups; One-way ANOVA in more than two groups.