Figure 5. Pharmacological inhibition of ILK in HT29 cells resistant to 5-FU inhibits expression of EMT and CSC markers. (A) EMT-consistent phenotypic changes upon 5-FU resistance. Spindle-shape morphology and pseudopodia formation are noted in resistant to 5-FU (5-FUR), but not in parental HT29 cells. (B) Protein expression by immunoblotting of EMT markers (β-catenin, E-cadherin, Vimentin and Snail) and CSC markers (Lgr5) in HT29, 5-FUR cells and 5-FUR cells treated with QLT0267 (5-FUR+QLT). 5-FUR cells express higher protein levels of active β-catenin, lower levels of E-cadherin and higher levels of Vimentin, Snail and Lgr5 compared to parental HT29 cells, while QLT0267 treatment (5-FUR+QLT) reverses these effects. Representative results of three independent experiments are shown.