Fig. 1

FOXC1 regulates ROS levels and cysteine metabolism through inhibiting CTH expression in HCC cells. a Venn diagrams showing the overlap between down-regulated genes in Huh7-FOXC1 and up-regulated genes in MHCC97H-shFOXC1 cells (fold change > 2.0). b Western blot analysis showing FOXC1 and CTH protein levels in the HCC cells with upregulation or downregulation of FOXC1. c The level of ROS was detected in the indicated HCC cells by immunofluorescence. d The GSH/GSSG ratio (left panel), GSH (middle panel) and cysteine (right panel) levels in the indicated cells. e Western blot analysis confirmed the stable HCC cell lines have been established. f-g CCK8 assays detected the proliferation capacities of the indicated HCC cells. h-i Plate clone formation assay showed the proliferation abilities of the indicated HCC cells. j-k The migration and invasion abilities of the indicated HCC cells were analyzed by Transwell assays. l-m In vivo tumorigenesis assays, nude mice were divided into 4 groups (n = 10 mice per group). The volume and weight of tumors from different groups were showed. n-o Representative bioluminescent images and bioluminescence time course of the indicated groups are shown. p The number of metastatic lung nodules from different groups. q Typical images of hematoxylin and eosin h & e) stained tissues for each group. Data are represented as mean ± S.D. of three experiments. *P < 0.05