Figure 5 | Scientific Reports

Figure 5

From: Metformin exerts anti-cancerogenic effects and reverses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition trait in primary human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells

Figure 5

Effect of prolonged treatment (12 and 57 days) of iCCA primary cells with Metformin on the gene expression of mesenchymal, EMT and epithelial markers. The gene expression of mesenchymal and EMT markers (Vimentin, SNAIL1, SNAIL2, TWIST1) and epithelial markers (E-Cadherin, Cytokeratin-19) was analysed by RT-qPCR in Large duct-type iCCA (A) and Small duct-type iCCA (B) primary cultures exposed to Metformin 10 µM for 12 or 57 days and normalized to the expression of GAPDH (housekeeping gene). The mesenchymal and EMT markers, Vimentin, SNAIL1, SNAIL2 and TWIST1, were markedly down-regulated with respect to controls; in some case almost completely suppressed (i.e. Vimentin and SNAIL2 in Large duct-type iCCA and SNAIL2 in Small duct-type iCCA). The epithelial markers, E-Cadherin and Cytokeratin-19 were markedly upregulated in both Large and Small duct-type iCCA. Data represent mean ± SD of N = 5 independent experiments; *p < 0.05 versus controls.

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