Fig. 5
From: MKP-4 suppresses hepatocarcinogenesis by targeting ERK1/2 pathway
Expressions and prognostic roles of MKP-4/ERK1/2 in HCC patients. a Western blot analysis revealed a lower expression of MKP-4 or higher expressions of ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (T) and adjacent non-tumorous tissues (N). b The bar chart demonstrates the ratio of MKP-4, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 to GAPDH by quantitative analysis. *P < 0.05 compared with adjacent normal liver tissue. c Immunohistochemical analysis of MKP-4, ERK1/2 p-ERK1/2 and Ki-67 expressions in paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Scale bar: 100 μm. d Relationship between MKP-4, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and Ki-67 expression in HCC patients. Scatter plot of them with regression line showing a significant correlation using the Pearson’s test (P < 0.01). e Kaplan–Meier survival curve according to MKP-4, p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2 in 160 HCC patients (P < 0.05, log-rank test)