Figure 6. Peptide RI37, but not KT44, attenuates growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells.

A. A schematic representation of various PTX3 peptides (RI37 and KT44). B. mcCDR4T1 (4T1R) cells were subcutaneously inoculated into wild-type BALB/c mice. One week later, CDDP with or without RI37 or KT44 were administered to the experimental mice as indicated. Tumor size was measured as described above (n = 6 per group). C. The experimental mice in Figure 6B were sacrificed and tumor weight and metastatic nodules on lung tissues were determined at the 6^th week. D. mcCDRMB231 (MBR) cells were subcutaneously inoculated into nude mice. One week later, CDDP with or without RI37 or KT44 was administered to the experimental mice as indicated. Tumor size was measured as described above (n = 3 per group). E. The experimental mice in Figure 6D were sacrificed and tumor weight and metastatic nodules on lung tissues were quantified at the 16^th week. F. A schematic illustration of the paracrine crosstalk between stromal cells and cancer cells. Anticancer drugs induce PTX3 expression in stromal cells via activating CEBPD, leading to subsequent tumorigenicity properties including tumor metastasis, invasiveness, stemness and drug resistance.