Fig. 1: MUC15 suppresses hepatocellular oncogenesis via inhibiting T-ICs generation.

A HL7702 shMUC15 and control cells were injected subcutaneously into NOD-SCID mice at 1 × 10³ cells per mouse. Xenografted tumor growth was monitored, and tumor weight was measured 10 weeks later. B The tumor formed in E was subjected to H&E and IHC staining. Scale bar = 25 μm. C Representative images and H&E staining of MUC15^hep−/− and WT mice at 5 months after DEN injection (n = 6). D The tumor numbers, maximal tumor sizes and liver-to-body weight ratios of MUC15^hep−/− and WT mice at 5 months after DEN injection was measured. E Representative images and H&E staining of MUC15-TG and WT mice at 5 months after DEN injection (n = 6). F The tumor incidence, tumor numbers, maximal tumor sizes, and liver-to-body weight ratios of MUC15-TG and WT mice at 5 months after DEN injection was measured. G, H The mRNA and protein expression of TIC-associated markers in tumors from MUC15^hep−/− and WT mice at 5 months after DEN injection were examined by real-time PCR and IHC staining analysis. Scale bar = 25 μm. I, J The mRNA and protein expression of TIC-associated markers in tumors from MUC15-TG and WT mice at 5 months after DEN injection were examined by real-time PCR and IHC staining analysis. Scale bar = 25 μm. All results are presented as the mean ± SD, and statistical significance was assessed using a two-tailed Student t-test. *p < 0.05.