Fig. 5: USP12 promoted angiogenesis in breast cancer by upregulating MDK.

A MDK and control vectors were transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells after USP12 knockdown, and immunoblotting showed the protein levels of MDK and USP12. B, C The angiogenesis of HUVECs was analysed by tube formation and migration assays (B). The tubes and migratory cells in panel B were quantified (C). D–I. The MDK and USP12 expression were analysed by immunoblotting MDK was knocked down in MDA-MB-231 USP12-overexpression cells (D–F) or overexpressed in MDA-MB-231-shUSP12 cells (G–I). The angiogenesis was analysed by the mouse aortic ring assay (E, G). Scale bars, 100 µm. J MDK and control vector were transfected into 4T1 cells after USP12 knockdown, and the protein levels of MDK and USP12 were detected by immunoblotting. K Lung metastasis nodules 5 weeks after the injection of 4T1 cells with USP12 knockdown and MDK overexpression into mouse mammary pads; the number of nodules in (K) was calculated (L). The data are presented as the mean ± SD, ^***p < 0.001. M CD31 immunohistochemical staining of lung metastatic nodules in (K) is shown.