Fig. 2: SNEP1 promotes CRC cell proliferation and tumor growth.

A SNEP1 promotes the colony formation of CRC cells. HCT-116 or Caco2 cells stably expressing LV-SNEP1 were seeded in a 6-well plate for 14 days. The cells were then stained with 0.5% crystal violet (w/v). B Quantitative analysis of HCT-116 and Caco2 cells stably overexpressing SNEP1. The bar graph displays the means ± SD, n = 3, **p < 0.01. C SNEP1 knockdown inhibits colony formation of CRC cells. HT-29 or SW620 cells stably expressing LV-shSNEP1 were seeded in a 6-well plate for 14 days. The cells were then stained with 0.5% crystal violet (w/v). D Quantitative analysis of HT-29 and SW620 cell lines with stable SNEP1 knockdown was performed using ImageJ software. The bar graph displays the mean ± SD, n = 3, **p < 0.01. E, F SNEP1 overexpression promotes tumor growth ex vivo. HCT-116 stable cell lines (2 × 10⁷ cells) that overexpressed SNEP1 were subcutaneously injected into eight nude mice on each side of the inguinal region. Xenografts were harvested after 2 weeks. Tumor sizes on either side were monitored every other day and tumor weights are shown in F. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 8). G, H SNEP1 knockdown leads to suppression of tumor growth ex vivo. HT-29 stable cell lines (2 × 10⁷ cells) with LV-shSNEP1 were subcutaneously injected into eight nude mice in each side of the inguinal region. Xenografts were harvested after 2 weeks. Tumor sizes on either side were monitored every alternate day and the tumor weights were shown in H. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 8). I Schematic showing mouse treatment for the inflammation-dependent CRC model. J–L SNEP1 overexpression promotes tumor growth in an inflammation-dependent CRC model. Tumor sizes and weights are shown in K and L) Data are presented as the mean ± SD.