Fig. 5

a Representative images of immunohistochemical staining for Cav-1 and SNAIL in BM of the SQC type. Note that the pattern of Cav-1 and SNAIL expression showed a similar direction in the SQC group. The intensity of SNAIL expression increased in proportion to Cav-1 expression in the SQC type (high SNAIL expression: 50% in low intensity of Cav-1 vs. 90% in high intensity of Cav-1, P = 0.051). b, c Genetic modulation of Cav-1 in lung SQC cell lines (H520 and H157). shRNA knockdown of Cav-1 in H520 cells (Cav-1-sh) and overexpression of Cav-1 in H157 cells (Cav-1-over) led to changes in SNAIL expression in the same direction at both the protein (b) and mRNA (c) levels. d Rescue assay for possible link between Cav-1 and SNAIL. Increased invasion ability was observed in Cav-1-over H157 cells compared to mock cells. This ability was reduced by SNAIL-specific siRNA for Cav-1-over H157 cells (d) (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.005, ***P < 0.001)