Figure 3. The effect of 15-PGDH on HCC growth in syngeneic C57BL/6J mice.

Hepa1-6 cells (1×10⁸ cells in 0.2 ml of PBS) were inoculated subcutaneously at armpit in C57BL/6J mice. When the tumor nodules become palpable, the pAd control virus or pAd-15-PGDH (10¹⁰ pfu) was injected directly to the tumor nodules (the injection was performed every three days, from the 10^th day to the 28^th day). After the last injection, the mice were observed for additional 3 days before sacrifice to recover tumor nodules. The wet weight of each tumor was recorded. The tumor diameters were measured by a caliper in two dimensions. The tumor volume was calculated by using the formula V=L/2*w².

A. Tumor size at different days. The data represent mean±SEM (n=6; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01).

B. (Left panels) Photographs of C57BL/6J mice inoculated with Hepa1-6 cells (prior to sacrifice) and the recovered xenograft tumors. (Right panel) The average tumor weight. The data represent mean±SEM (n= 6).

C. Western blotting analysis for 15-PGDH in pAd-15-PGDH and pAd treated Hepa1-6 tumor tissues. β-actin was used as the internal control.

D. H&E stain and PCNA immunostain in pAd-15-PGDH and pAd treated Hepa1-6 tumors.

E. Western blotting for PCNA and p21 in pAd-15-PGDH and pAd treated Hepa1-6 tumors (6 samples for each group). β-actin was used as the internal control.

F. (Left panel) Western blotting to detect nuclear p21 in pAd-15-PGDH and pAd treated Hepa1-6 tumors (6 samples for each group). Histone was used as the internal control. (Right panel) Western blotting to detect cytoplasmic p21 in pAd-15-PGDH and pAd treated Hepa1-6 tumors (6 samples for each group). β-actin was used as the internal control.