Figure 4. Exogenous THBS1 and TNC protected MCF-7 cells against proliferation inhibition by docetaxel through activating integrin β1/mTOR pathway and deregulating cell cycle proteins.

MCF-7 cells grew in DMEM containing 5% CS-FBS for 48 hours. Then recombinant protein THBS1 or TNC at indicated concentration (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 5 μg/ml) was added into the media respectively and maintained for 48 hours, with the presence or absence of 5 nM of docetaxel. MTS assay was performed and the protective effects of THBS1 (A) or TNC (B) were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, compared with groups treated with docetaxel alone. The effects of THBS1 (C) and TNC (D) on biomarkers for mTOR pathway and cell cycle were further evaluated using Western blots analysis.