Fig. 5

Knockdown of desmosomal gene expression attenuates the effects of SOX30 on impeding tumor formation and metastasis in vivo. a–c Evaluation of tumorigenesis in nude mice subcutaneously injected with (A549-Vector), (A549-SOX30(+)), (A549-SOX30(+)/DSP(−)), (A549-SOX30(+)/JUP(−)) and (A549-SOX30(+)/DSC3(−)). To assess the effects of desmosomal gene on subcutaneous tumor growth, tumor volumes were recorded on the indicated days, and pictures of solid tumor tissues were taken after 42 days. Tumor weights in the indicated groups were determined. Error bars indicate s.d. (n = 4). d Liver metastases were observed by H&E staining in the indicated groups. Arrows indicate the metastatic loci. e Liver metastasis was further quantified using RT-qPCR. Human-specific β2-MG levels were used to quantify metastatic human cancer cells with the mouse-specific β2-MG level as an internal control. Error bars indicate s.d. (n = 4).*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01