Fig. 5

KCNE4 tissue expression validation and CAFs extraction in CRC. (a, b). KCNE4 protein expression was shown in 12 paired tumor and para-tumor tissue by Western blot. (“N” for non-tumor, “T” for tumor). (c) KCNE4 expression in paired CRC samples from TCGA. (d) Images display the isolation of NAFs and CAFs from CRC adjacent normal tissue and tumor tissue. (e) Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of FAP, α-SMA and FSP1 in NAFs and CAFs. (f) qRT-PCR analysis of KCNE4 in different cell types. (g) Migration of CRC cells incubated with CM derived from NAFs or CAFs. (h-i). In vivo bioluminescence imaging of mice administered with HCT116 (Luci) cells via intravenous intraperitoneal injection in the presence of either NAFs or CAFs (n = 4). (j) Dissected intraperitoneal tumor nodules after humanitarian execution (n = 4). (k) The intraperitoneal tumor weights in each group were statistically analyzed. Data in bar graphs indicate mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. Student’s t test (b, i, k), paired Student’s t test (c), multi-group analysis of variance (g)