Figure 6. CAFs enhanced tumor formation and activated JAK2/STAT3 signaling in human lung cancer cells.

3×10⁶ A549 cells, alone or with 9×10⁶ CAF (ratio1:3) were injected subcutaneously into the left lower flank of mice. Each treatment group consisted of 5 mice. (A) Tumor formation was inspected and tumor volume was measured after 6 weeks. (B) The average tumor volume of the two groups was measured at indicated times. (C) Tumor tissues were dissected and H&E staining was performed. (D) α-SMA expression in tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. (E) α-SMA expression in 2 tumor tissues from each group was detected by Western blot. (F) The protein expression in tumor tissues was detected by Western blot. (G) The mRNA expression in 2 tumor tissues from each group was detected by qPCR. Values represent the mean ± SD from three independent experiments. *P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001.