Fig. 4: Knockdown ITGA2 inhibits the stemness of OSCC.

A Immunoblot assay of KLF7 and ITGA2 protein levels in CAL27 and HSC3 cells after stable silencing ITGA2. WT wild type, NC Negative control. B In vivo limiting dilution assays were performed using control cells and ITGA2-silenced CAL27 cells, and the frequency of allograft formation at each injected cell dose was determined and is presented (n = 5 per group). The data were analyzed using ELDA software. CI Confidence Interval. C Diameter and number of spheres formed by CAL27 cells and HSC3 cells after stable silencing ITGA2; data are presented as mean ± SD from five independent experiments, and statistical significance was determined using Student’s t-test. Scale bar, 100 μm. D The proportion of CD133+ and ALDH+ cells in CAL27 cells and HSC3 cells after stable silencing ITGA2; data are presented as mean ± SD from three independent experiments, statistical significance was determined using Student’s t-test. E Immunoblot assay of KLF7 and ITGA2 protein levels after stable silencing ITGA2 and silencing KLF7 followed by stable overexpression of ITGA2. F The proportion of CD133+ and ALDH+ cells in CAL27 cells and HSC3 cells after stable silencing KLF7 and silencing KLF7 followed by stable overexpression of ITGA2; data are presented as mean ± SD from three independent experiments, statistical significance was determined using Student’s t-test. G Diameter and number of spheres formed by CAL27 cells and HSC3 cells after stable silencing KLF7 and silencing KLF7 followed by stable overexpression of ITGA2; data are presented as mean ± SD from five independent experiments, and statistical significance was determined using Student’s t-test. Scale bar, 100 μm.