Fig. 1: ANGPTL8 KO alleviates the progression of DEN- and DEN-plus-CCL4-induced HCC.

A Schematic illustration of the DEN-plus-CCL4-induced HCC model (n = 8 per group). B Gross appearance of livers from WT and ANGPTL8-KO mice induced with DEN plus CCL4. Tumors are indicated within white dashed lines (n = 8 per group). C Representative images of H&E-stained tissue samples isolated from DEN-plus-CCL4-induced HCC in WT and ANGPTL8-KO mice. T: tumor core area, N: adjacent nontumor area; scale bars, 50 and 20 μm (inset). D Statistical analysis of the differences in (a) tumor number, (b) liver weight, and (c) liver/body weight ratio between DEN-plus-CCL4-induced HCC WT and ANGPTL8-KO mice (n = 8 per group). Data are the mean ± SD. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student’s t test. *p < 0.05. E Schematic illustration of the DEN-induced HCC model (n = 12 per group). F Tumor formation was monitored by ultrasound, and the gross appearance of the livers was noted. Tumors are indicated within white dashed lines (n ≥ 4 per group). G Statistical analysis of differences in (a) tumor number, (b) liver/body ratio, (c) liver weight, and (d) mouse weight between DEN-induced WT and ANGPTL8-KO HCC mice (n = 4 per group). Data are the mean ± SD. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student’s t test. **p < 0.01). H (a) Representative images of H&E staining and IHC staining of CK18 and AFP in liver tissues from DEN-induced WT and ANGPTL8-KO HCC mice. T: tumor core area, N: adjacent nontumor area; scale bars, 50 and 20 μm (inset). (b) Statistical analysis of CK18- and AFP-positive hepatocytes between DEN-induced WT and ANGPTL8-KO HCC mice (n = 4 per group). Data are the mean ± SD. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student’s t test. ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001. I Serum ALT and AST levels were measured 40 weeks post DEN treatment (n = 3 per group). Data are the mean ± SD. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student’s t test. *p < 0.05.