Figure 4.
NRP-1 knockdown reduces stimulatory effects of LX2 cells on tumor growth in vivo. (A) HepG2 cells (1×106) mixed with NT or NRP-1 shRNA expressing LX2 cells (2×105) were implanted into nude mice by armpit injection. Tumor size was determined using a caliper. NRP-1 knockdown LX2 cells were less effective at promoting tumor growth in mice compared with control LX2 cells. The tumor was displayed in 4 cm scale. *P<0.05 by analysis of variance; n=24 tumors. (B) α-SMA staining of subcutaneous tumors in each group (magnification, ×200). Scale bars, 50 µm. NT, non-targeting; NRP-1, neuropilin-1; shRNA, short hairpin RNA; α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin.