Fig. 7: DNAJA4 inhibits NPC invasion and metastasis in vivo.

SUNE1 cells stably overexpressing DNAJA4 or empty vector were subcutaneously injected into the plantar surface of mice to establish the inguinal lymph node metastasis model. A, B Representative images of foot pad tumours (A) and inguinal lymph nodes (B) in the two groups. C Statistical comparison of lymph node volume between the two groups. D H&E staining of foot pad tumours to analyse the infiltration of cancer cells into mouse muscle and skin. Scale bar, 100 μm. E The infiltration of cancer cells into lymph nodes was evaluated using IHC analysis of pan-cytokeratin. Scale bars, 2 mm and 20 μm. F Statistical analysis of inguinal lymph node metastasis in the two groups. SUNE1 cells stably overexpressing DNAJA4 or empty vector were injected into the tail veins of mice to establish the lung metastatic colonization model. G Representative images of macroscopic tumour nodules formed on the lung surface in the two groups. H H&E staining of the lung tissues to analyse the number and size of metastatic nodules. Scale bars, 5 mm, 2 mm and 20 μm. I Statistical analysis of lung metastatic nodules in the two groups. J Representative images and quantitative analysis of IHC staining of DNAJA4, PSMD2, and MYH9 in transplanted tumour tissues of the two groups. Scale bars, 100 μm and 50 μm. The data in (C, I, J) are shown as the mean ± SD, and p-values were determined by Student’s t test (ns, not significant; *p < 0.05).