Fig. 1: Expressions of TGF-βRII, PKM2, and HIF-1α in human oral tissues, normal fibroblasts (NFs), and oral cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). | Cell Death Discovery

Fig. 1: Expressions of TGF-βRII, PKM2, and HIF-1α in human oral tissues, normal fibroblasts (NFs), and oral cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).

From: TGF-βRII regulates glucose metabolism in oral cancer-associated fibroblasts via promoting PKM2 nuclear translocation

Fig. 1

A, B Positive expression of TGF-βRII, mainly located in the cellular membrane and cytoplasm, was detected in the normal tissue and it attenuated gradually in well, mildly and poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) with a significant statistical difference among groups. Conversely, PKM2 and HIF-1α were weakly positive in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus in the normal tissue and exhibited with augmented positive staining and area in OSCCs. Scale bar = 50 μm. C Representative fluorescence images of immunostaining for TGF-βRII, PKM2, and HIF-1α were detected in NFs and CAFs with DAPI positive nuclei. Scale bar = 100 μm. D Quantification of TGF-βRII, PKM2, and HIF-1α mRNA levels in NFs and CAFs exhibited a significant statistical difference. E Immunoblot showed a reduction of TGF-βRII in CAFs but PKM2 and HIF-1α increased in CAFs when compared to NFs. F Quantification of TGF-βRII, PKM2, and HIF-1α protein levels in NFs and CAFs with a significant statistical difference. Relative mRNA or protein expression level was quantified after normalization to β-actin. n ≥ 15; error bars, mean ± SD; n.s not significant, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001; t test.

Back to article page