Fig. 1.

Differential protein expression in NSCLC and corresponding adjacent nontumor tissues (ANTs) samples and the correlation with tumor metastasis. Thirty-four differential protein spots were identified from NSCLC (a, right) and ANT (a, left) samples in the representative silver-stained 2D gel image, and the outlined areas show CTHRC1 upregulation in NSCLC tissues (n = 20). b MS identification analysis of CTHRC1. The red arrow marks the specific peak corresponding to the CTHRC1 protein. c, d Comparative CTHRC1 protein quantification in paired primary NSCLC tissues (T) and their corresponding ANTs in the left panel (n = 20) as measured by western blotting and IHC (**p < 0.01). e CTHRC1 levels increase as tumour grade (I–IV) progresses, as determined by IHC staining (n = 230). Representative western blot bands and IHC images are presented. Three independent experiments were performed