Fig. 7
Upregulation of KCNE4 in CAFs drives liver metastasis of CRC cells. (a) A mouse liver metastasis model was constructed by simultaneous injection of CRC cells and NAFs into the spleen. (b) In vivo bioluminescence imaging of mice administered with HCT116 (Luci) cells via intrasplenic injection in the presence of either NAFs-OE Vector or NAFs-OE KCNE4 (n = 5). (c) Comparison of liver metastases in HCT116/NAFs-OE Vector and HCT116/NAFs-OE KCNE4 groups. (d) Representative HE staining reveals liver metastasis in nude mice following 8 weeks of spleen injection with CRC cells and NAFs-OE Vector or NAFs-OE KCNE4 (n = 5). The white arrow indicates the metastatic node (scale bar, 1000 μm). (e) In vivo bioluminescence imaging of mice administered with HCT116 (Luci) cells via intraperitoneal injection in the presence of either NAFs-OE Vector or NAFs-OE KCNE4 (n = 5). (f) Comparison of intraperitoneal metastases in HCT116/NAFs-OE Vector and HCT116/NAFs-OE KCNE4 groups. (g) Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the distribution of KCNE4 and α-SMA in peritoneal metastatic nodules derived from mice in Fig. 7f. (h) Immunohistochemistry was employed to scrutinize the distribution of KCNE4 and α-SMA in paired primary colorectal cancer tumors and their corresponding liver metastases. Data in bar graphs indicate mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. Student’s t test (b, c, e, f)