Fig. 7: Mertk deficient mice display reduced bone loss in a syngeneic breast cancer bone metastasis mouse model.

a–k Luciferase⁺ EO771 breast cancer cells were injected intracardially in Mertk^flox/flox and Col1a1-cre⁺;Mertk^flox/flox mice. a, b Analysis of tumor load in the tibia by Bioluminescence Imaging after 3 (n = 12/16) (a) and 7 (b) (n = 12/16) days. c–h μCT 3D reconstructions (c) and analysis of BV (n = 20/22) (d), BV/TV (n = 20/22) (e), Tb.N (n = 20/22) (f), Tb.Th (n = 20/22) (g), and Tb.Sp (n = 20/22) (h) of trabecular bone of metaphyseal proximal region of the tibia. i Representative pictures of TRAP/Hematoxylin staining of bone metastasis of EO771 injected mice. j, k Histomorphometric analysis of osteoblast number (Ob.N/B.Pm) (n = 12/13) (j) and osteoclast number (Oc.N/B.Pm) (n = 12/13) (k). l–v Luciferase⁺ EO771 breast cancer cells were injected intracardially in Col1a1-cre⁺;Tyro3^flox/flox mice. l, m Analysis of tumor load in the tibia by Bioluminescence Imaging after 3 (n = 12/16) (l) and 7 (n = 12/16) (m) days. n–s μCT 3D reconstructions (n) and analysis of BV (n = 12/16) (o), BV/TV (n = 12/16) (p), Tb.N (n = 12/16) (q), Tb.Th (n = 12/16) (r), and Tb.Sp (n = 12/16) (s) of trabecular bone of metaphyseal proximal region of the tibia. t Representative pictures of TRAP/Hematoxylin staining of bone metastasis of EO771 injected mice. u, v Histomorphometric analysis of osteoblast number (Ob.N/B.Pm) (n = 12/16) (u) and osteoclast number (Oc.N/B.Pm) (n = 12/16) (v). Data were means ± SEMs. Statistical significance was determined by a two-tailed unpaired t-test unless otherwise stated.