Fig. 4: MAFF regulates in vivo tumor metastasis.
From: The HIF target MAFF promotes tumor invasion and metastasis through IL11 and STAT3 signaling
MDA-MB-231 cells were orthotopically injected into mammary fat pads of nude mice (106 cells/50 μl/mouse) to determine the role of MAFF in tumor growth. a MAFF inhibition did not affect tumor growth in vivo (ns: not significant). n = 9 shSCR, n = 7 shMAFF. Two-Way ANOVA. b While cell proliferation (Ki67 positive staining) was not changed, microvessel density (MECA32 positive staining) significantly decreased when MAFF was inhibited (n = 4 shSCR, n = 5 shMAFF). Unpaired t-test. c Lung colonization of tumor cells was evaluated either by H&E staining (n = 4) or qPCR to measure human GAPDH expression (n = 9 shSCR, n = 7 shMAFF). Unlike primary tumor growth, MAFF knockdown reduced lung metastasis. Unpaired t-test. d Intraperitoneal injection of OVCAR8 cells also showed that inhibition of MAFF expression was significantly correlated with reduced tumor metastasis. Arrow indicates tumor nodules formed in intraperitoneal cavity. n = 6 shSCR, n = 8 shMAFF. Unpaired t-test. Graphs represent the mean per group and error bars represent the SEM. ns: not significant.
