Figure 4.
Inhibition of PAK1 by PF-3758309 decreased the expression of CSC markers in CRC xenografts and blocked tumor growth. HCT116 cells (2 × 106/100 ul) were subcutaneously injected into the flank of 6-week-old Scid mice, which were divided into 2 groups: control (cont, n = 4), ip with 5% DMSO saline, and PF-3758309 (n = 6), 10 mg/Kg, ip. Daily PF-3758309 treatment was started at day 15 as indicated by the arrow, and continued for 2 weeks. (A) Tumor volumes were measured with calipers, and (B) tumors were weighed at the end of the experiment. (C) The concentrations of the CSC markers hiCD44, Bmi1 and Nanog, and of phosphorylated and active PAK1 (pPAK1), total PAK1 (tPAK1) and GAPDH in tumor extracts were measured by Western blotting. *, p < 0.05, **, p < 0.01, ***, p < 0.001, compared to the values for control tumors.