Figure 7. Silencing of CXCR4 reverts the EMT-like changes induced by CXCL12 in NET cells.

The transfection efficiency of the anti-CXCR4 siRNA was evaluated by qualitative PCR (A), RT-PCR (B) and confocal microscopy (C). Overall, siRNA treatment induced a reduction of CXCR4 mRNA up to 70% in BON1 cells, as compared with original control values. A similar decrease was observed in terms of protein expression in the same cell line. (D) After incubation with CXCL12, siRNA-treated BON1 cells maintained a polygonal shape. (E) Silencing of CXCR4 reduced the migratory potential of CXCR4^high/CXCL12^low NET cells, even following CXCL12 treatment.