Fig. 7
The RNF38/TGFBR1 complex is an independent factor predicting the prognosis of HCC patients. a. The protein expression of RNF38 and TGFBR1 in 15 HCC tumor tissue were detected through western blot, and the representative images were shown. b. A positive correlation between two proteins were observed in tumor tissues at the protein. c. The mRNA expression of RNF38 and TGFBR1 in 15 HCC tumor tissue were detected through qRT-PCR. The representative image was shown. d. there is no correlation between the two proteins were detected in tumor tissues at the mRNA level. e. Representative immunostaining images of RNF38, AHNAK and TGFBR1. f. Percentage of specimens showing low or high expression of TGFBR1 in 102 HCC tissues, respectively, with low and high of RNF38 expression. And their relationship was assessed by Pearson correlation coefficient g. HCC patients with high RNF38 and high TGFBR1 had the most unfavorable prognosis including the OS and recurrence. Group 1, patients of RNF38 high and TGFBR1 high (n = 31). Group 2, patients of RNF38 and TGFBR1 low or high (n = 46), Group 3, patients of RNF38 low and TGFBR1 low (n = 25)