Figure 5. Pharmacological Jak1/2 inhibitor AZD1480 blocks IL-6-Jak-Stat3/ERK1/2-driven metastases formation in nude mice.
Genetic knockdown of Stat3 and/or ERK1/2, as well as pharmacological inhibition of Jak1/2 by AZD1480, suppresses PC metastases formation in nude mice. DU145 cells infected with lentivirus expressing IL-6 (MOI=5) with or without simultaneous infection of lentiviruses expressing shRNA-Stat3 (MOI=5) and/or shRNA-ERK1/2 (MOI=5) were injected in athymic nude mice through tail veins. AZD1480 was administered to indicated groups of mice daily by oral gavage (50 mg/kg). The lungs were stained with India Ink and scored for surface metastases. Representative photographs of India Ink-stained lungs (lower panel).