Figure 6.

S100A4 upregulates stem cell-associated genes in collagen I-cultured Huh-7 cells through β-catenin signaling. (a) Levels of p-p65, p-Erk and p-β-catenin in Huh-7 cells were determined by western blot analysis. Huh-7 cells were cultured without collagen I and incubated with or without S100A4 (200 ng/ml) as indicated. (b) Levels of p-p65, p-Erk and p-β-catenin in Huh-7 cells were upregulated upon administration of collagen I and S100A4, determined by western blot. Huh-7 cells were cultured with collagen I and incubated with or without S100A4 (200 ng/ml) as indicated. (c) Western blot analysis of protein levels of p-β-catenin in DEN/CCl₄-treated liver tissues and tumor tissues from S100A4^−/- and WT littermates. (d) Sections of β-catenin expression was detected upon S100A4 and collagen I administration by immunofluorescence, representative images were shown. (e) Levels of p-β-catenin in Huh-7 cells were determined by western blot analysis. Huh-7 cells were cultured with collagen I and incubated with S100A4 (200 ng/ml) or a β-catenin inhibitor for 12 h. (f) Expression of OCT-4, SOX2, CD44 and Nanog in Huh-7 cells by real-time PCR. The upregulated effect of S100A4 was abolished upon administration of β-catenin inhibitors. *P < .05, ** P < .01.