Fig. 2

Expression levels of CCL2/CCR2 and CXCL1/CXCR2 are correlated with HCC progression in the HCC model. Sprague Dawley rats were treated with diethylnitrosamine. After 8, 12 or 14 weeks, the rats were sacrificed to observe the development of HCC. The expression levels of CCL2, CCR2, CXCL1, and CXCR2 proteins were detected by immunohistochemical analysis. As CXCL8 is absent in rodents, we examined CXCL1, which is considered the functional equivalent of human CXCL8 in promoting neutrophil migration. The integral optical density (IOD) of the stained sections was calculated, and then Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the protein expression level and diethylnitrosamine treatment time. Pearson’s correlation analysis yielded the correlation coefficient (r) and the p-value. A Representative images of CCL2, CCR2, CXCL1, and CXCR2 immunostaining in the liver tissue of rats after 8, 12 and 14 weeks of diethylnitrosamine treatment. Asterisks indicate positive staining. Scale bar 200 μm. (B-E) Pearson's correlation analysis between B CCL2 and diethylnitrosamine treatment time (r = 0.70, p < 0.0001), C CCR2 and diethylnitrosamine treatment time (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001), D CXCL1 and diethylnitrosamine treatment time (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001), and E CCR2 and diethylnitrosamine treatment time (r = 0.71, p < 0.0001)