Fig. 4
Overexpression of MT2A inhibits cell growth and liver metastasis of CRC cells in vivo. A HCT8 cells transfected with an empty vector or MT2A overexpression vector were subcutaneously injected into the right back of nude mice, which were examined for 4 weeks. The tumor volume was measured every 5 days, and the mice were sacrificed at Day 28 (n = 5). MT2A overexpression significantly decreased the tumor volume compared to empty vector control cells. B Tumors were collected, and tumor sizes were measured. The tumor size of MT2A-overexpressing cells was significantly smaller than that of control cells. C IHC staining of Ki67 was used to evaluate in vivo tumor growth, and MT2A overexpression significantly reduced Ki67 staining compared to the control. D A liver metastasis model was established by injection of HCT8 cells (2 × 106 cells) under the spleen envelope. After 4 weeks, the mice were sacrificed, and the livers were dissected. The white arrow indicates the metastasis tumor. MT2A overexpression delayed liver metastasis of HCT8 cells. E The livers and metastatic tumors were embedded in paraffin, sectioned and analyzed. Compared to control cells, MT2A overexpression significantly reduced the compression of normal liver tissues. OE, overexpression. Scale, 100 μm