Fig. 8

Anti-tumor effect of a combination SERT inhibition with dietary trp restriction or trametinib in vivo. a Subcutaneous tumors were formed in nude mice injected with HCT116. Once the tumors were palpable, mice were randomly distributed into six groups (n = 5) including the control group (DMSO), sertraline group (30 mg/kg), trametinib group (2 mg/kg), PTR group, sertraline plus PTR group and sertraline plus trametinib group. The diet for all mice were switched for PTR or specific control diet, 1 week before injection. The bar graph shows the tumor weights for each group (n = 5). Tumor sizes and mice weights were measured after every 2 days. Line charts show the tumor volumes for each group (n = 5). Data are presented as the mean ± SD. b Representative pictures of SLC1A5 expression in xenograft tumor tissues. The bar graph indicates the IHC scores of SLC1A5 expression. c Mouse model of AOM/DSS-induced colon cancer was established in SERT-KO and SERT-WT mice. One month after AOM injection, the mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 4) including the control group, SERT-KO group, PTR group and SERT-KO plus PTR group. All mice were fed with PTR diet and matched control diet during the period of drinking normal water. After 14 weeks, tumors were dissected and their volumes and number determined. The graphs showed the average tumor number and volume of each group. Statistical methods: one-way ANOVA followed by LSD post hoc test, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001