Fig. 9

NOX1 inhibition attenuates the induction of an angiogenic and pro-fibrotic microenvironment in advanced experimental HCC. After weekly DEN (35 mg/kg) injections for 25/20 weeks and twice or single daily administration of vehicle/GKT771, healthy, HCC and non-cancerous surrounding liver tissue was sampled for mRNA expression analysis. RT-qPCR was performed to determine the expression of (a) different angiogenic markers (CD31, END, iCAM and vCAM) and b fibrotic markers (αSMA, COL1A and TGFβ). Data shown as mean ± SEM. ^nsnot significant; * p < 0,05; ** p < 0,01; *** p < 0,001; **** p < 0,0001 compared to vehicle-treated healthy controls, unless indicated differently. c Livers were stained with Sirius red and Metavir scoring was determined to assess the extent of fibrosis of the histological liver sections. Data shown as individual scoring points with median. Metavir score: F0 - no fibrosis; F1 - fibrosis exists with expansion of portal zones; F2 - fibrosis exists with expansion of most portal zones, and occasional bridging