Fig. 4: DKK4 secreted from CRC cells transforms fibroblasts in vitro.
From: Colorectal cancer cells secreting DKK4 transform fibroblasts to promote tumour metastasis
A, B α-SMA (red) immunofluorescence staining with F-actin (green) (A) and quantification (B) in MEFs cultured with conditioned medium (CM) obtained from 1597-CCSCs. At least three technical replicates were performed and 4-6 immunofluorescence images of each group were taken randomly. C, D MYH9 (green) immunofluorescence staining with α-SMA (red) (C) and quantification (D) in MEFs cultured with CM obtained from 1597-CCSCs. At least three technical replicates were performed and 4-6 immunofluorescence images of each group were taken randomly. E, F Myofibroblast-associated gene expression of MEFs cocultured with 1597-CCSCs. E shCtrl vs. shDKK4; F FLAG vs. DKK4-FLAG (n = 3). G Acta2 expression in NIH/3T3 cells cultured with CM obtained from the respective CCSCs (n = 3). H Collagen expression of MEFs cultured with different CM obtained from the respective 1597-CCSCs (n = 3). Scale bars, 50 μm. MFI, mean fluorescence intensity. At least three independent experiments were performed for each assessment. Mean ± SD, *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; ****p < 0.0001 by Student’s unpaired t test.
