Fig. 2: Self-renewal and proliferation properties in GSC Y+ or Y−.

a Quantitative PCR to validate the transcript levels of YKL-40 overexpression in WZ05 and WZ12 GSCs (Y+) and YKL-40 gene silencing in WZ28, WZ29, WZ27, and WZ31 GSCs (Y−) (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01). b Western blotting analyses to validate the protein levels of YKL-40 overexpression in WZ05 and WZ12 GSCs (Y+) and YKL-40 gene silencing in WZ28, WZ29, WZ27, and WZ31 GSCs (Y−) (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01). The ratio has been normalized by β-III-tubulin. c Contrast field image of representative GSC spheres in self-renewal. Left, WZ05 and WZ05 Y+ GSCs; Right, WZ12 and WZ12 Y+ GSCs. Magnification, ×400. d Data points demonstrated the percentage of single cells capable of serial sphere formation in three consecutive passages in serum-free conditions. Self-renewal properties of GSC Y+ or Y− were comparable to corresponding control of GSC. e Bar graph indicating the proliferation rates measured by BrdU incorporation. Proliferation of GSC Y+ or Y− was compared with the controls of each GSC (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01). f Representative magnified coronal sections of xenografts stained with H&E demonstrate the characteristic features of GBM. g Athymic mice intracerebrally implanted with 1 × 10⁵ GSCs. Mice were then monitored for survival. n = 6 mice per group. The survival curve depicted the in vivo tumor-propagating potential of GSCs Y+ or Y− compared with controls of each GSC (WZ05 vs. WZ05 Y+ P = 0.02; WZ28 vs. WZ28 Y− P = 0.005; WZ29 vs. WZ29 Y− P = 0.02; WZ12 vs. WZ12 Y+ P = 0.03; WZ27 vs. WZ27 Y− P = 0.006; WZ31 vs. WZ31 Y− P = 0.01).