Fig. 2

Morphological changes, aggregation rate and apoptotic changes of anoikis resistant cells. a, b MCF-7a/MDA-MB-231a cells were cultured in anoikis model for 24, 48 and 72 h. MCF-7/MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in adherent state as normal control. As the induction time of MCF-7a/MDA-MB-231a increases in the anoikis model, suspended single breast cancer cells begin to aggregate gradually. c, d Microscopic morphology of MCF-7a/MDA-MB-231a and MCF-7/MDA-MB-231 cells 12 h culture in anoikis or normal groups. The aggregation rate in MCF-7a/MDA-MB-231a is significantly more than MCF-7/MDA-MB-231 groups (n = 7, **P < 0.01). e, f The effect of anoikis resistant on MCF-7a/ MDA-MB-231a cells (Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining). Early apoptosis was significantly reduced in the MCF-7a/MDA-MB-231a group than in the MCF-7/MDA-MB-231 group (n = 3, **P < 0.01)