Figure 2.

αB-crystallin enhances radioresistance in basal-like breast cancer cells. (a) and (c) Representative images of γ-H2AX foci formation were acquired in MDA-MB-231 + shαB, MCF-7 + OE-αB, and control cells at 2-hour post 4 Gy of X-ray irradiation. Red fluorescence indicates γ-H2AX foci. These images were captured using a 60× objective lens and subsequently magnified locally to facilitate detailed observation. Scale bar: 10 μm. (b) and (d) The number of foci in each group was normalized to those in shNC or OE-NC cells from the 0 Gy group for quantification of γ-H2AX foci formation. (e) and (f) Colony formation and survival curve analysis were conducted on MDA-MB-231 + shαB, MCF-7 + OE-αB, and control cells following exposure to varying doses of X-ray irradiation (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy). Data are represented as means ± SD (n = 5; unpaired two-tailed Student's t-test; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01). OE-αB: cells transfected with αB-crystallin overexpression vectors; shαB: cells transfected with αB-crystallin-specific shRNA; shNC and OE-NC: cells transfected with corresponding empty vectors.