Fig. 1

Lipid accumulation in colon cancer cells was related to FABP4-mediated FA transport. a The tissues of colon cancer patients (n = 5) were freshly made into 8 μm frozen sections, stained with oil red O solution. The distribution of lipids in human colon cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues was observed under the microscopy. b The supernatant of the colon cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues lysate were collected for triglyceride colorimetric assays (n = 5). c HCT-116 cells were incubated with or without extract of adipose tissues. Lipid distribution was visualized by confocal microscopy analysis, the intracellular lipids were stained by fluorescence dye Bodipy (20 μg/mL), and the nucleus of HCT-116 cells were stained by Hochest33342 (0.5 μg/mL). Magnification: ×400. d The mRNA level of FABP4 in colon cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues were determined by qRT-PCR. e Exponential monolayer HCT-116 cells were incubated with synthesized EGFP-tagged FABP4 for 2 h, using EGFP as a control. The intracellular distribution of FABP4 was visualized using the living cell imaging system. Magnification: ×100. f In control and FABP4-overexpressed HCT-116 cells, the intracellular lipids were stained by fluorescence dye Bodipy (20 μg/mL) and the nucleus of HCT-116 cells were stained by Hochest33342 (0.5 μg/mL). Magnification: ×400. All the samples were prepared in triplicate, and all experiments were repeated for at least three times. *P < 0.05