Fig. 3.

Low PTENP1 level enhances the malignant behavior of BC cells. a The viability of transfected BC cells were detected by CCK8 assays at 0, 24, 48,72, 96 h. b Knockdown of PTENP1 enhanced the colony formation in BC cells. c The proliferation of siPTENP1 transfected cells was increased by Edu staining (Scale bar = 20 μm). d Ki67 staining also showed intensive proliferation (Scale bar = 20 μm). e The aggressiveness was enhanced with knocking down PTENP1 in MCF-7 cells (Scale bar = 20 μm). f The siPTENP1-MCF-7 cells revealed more resistance to ADR. g Higher IC₅₀ value was also proved the enhanced chemoresistance to ADR. h Weakened colony formation ability was shown in response to ADR. i More resistance to ADR was shown in siPTENP1-MCF-7 cells. Low apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. j JC-1 staining assay showed altered mitochondrial membrane potential with siPTENP1 transfection. Green fluorescence: the monomer, red fluorescence: the J-aggregates, orange fluorescence: merged photo (Scale bar = 20 μm). k TUNEL assay confirmed the incidence of apoptosis (Scale bar = 200 μm). l Apoptosis-related molecules expression was determined by western blot. m The xenografted tumors were presented with or without ADR treatment. n PTEN and Ki67 levels were determined by IHC staining. Data are the means ± SD of triplicate determinants (*P < 0.05) (Scale bar = 200 μm)