Fig. 2
Gli1 overexpression promoted tumor angiogenesis and increased pericyte coverage of blood vessel. A Flowchart of investigating the effect of Gli1 on tumor angiogenesis and pericyte coverage. B, C Gli1 overexpression in A549 cells promotes tumor growth. The A549NC vector and A549Gli1 vector cells were subcutaneously injected to establish a xenograft model. The tumor volumes were measured every two days. At the end of the experiment, the tumors were removed, weighted, photographed and then subjected for further pathological analysis. The tumor volume curve and tumor image were presented in (B), the tumor weight statistics was showed in (C). D, E The results of H&E staining and IHC staining of Ki67, CD 31 and Gli1. The representative images were displayed in (D) and the statistical data were showed in (E). F The IF assay to observe the pericyte coverage of blood vessel. The CD31 antibody and α-SMA were used to recognize endothelia cells and preicyte, respectively. G The results of dextran leakage assay. n = 8. H-N Gli1 overexpression promoted tumor growth (H-J) and tumor angiogenesis (K-L), and increased pericyte coverage of vascular (M) and dextran leakage (N) in the xenograft of NCI-H460 cells. All the data were showed as mean ± SD, n = 6. *p < 0.05; ***p < 0.001 vs A549NC vector or NCI-H460NC vector cells