FSTL1 augments breast cancer cell stemness traits. (a) Tumor sphere formation assays in FSTL1 overexpression MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and HCC38 cells. Sphere numbers were quantified. *p < 0.05. (b) Protein expression of stem cell markers (CD133, Nanog, and SOX2) in FSTL1 overexpression MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and HCC38 cells. *p < 0.05. (c) Cell cycle analysis in FSTL1 overexpression MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and HCC38 cells. *p < 0.05. (d) MTT assays were performed to analyze cell proliferation in FSTL1 overexpression MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and HCC38 cells.