Figure 3.

RhBMP2 collagen gels promoted the growth of liver cancer in vivo. (A) Flow diagram of experiments. The rhBMP2 collagen gels were implanted within the muscle pouch of H22/Hepa1-2 tumor-burdened mice to observe the effects of local delivered rhBMP2 on the growth of liver cancers. The tumor volumes were measured. (B) The digital photograph of rhBMP2 collagen gels. The containers were placed upside down. (C) The electron microscopy image of rhBMP2 collagen gels after the gels were freeze dried. Scale bar: 100 μm. (D) The average tumor volumes of subcutaneous H22 tumors in ICR mice after the material implantation. Data were expressed as means ± SEM (n = 8). “n” indicated the number of mice used. **P < 0.01. (E) ICR mice in (A) were sacrificed and tumor tissues were harvested. The digital image of subcutaneous H22 tumors was displayed. (F) ICR mice in (A) were sacrificed and tumor tissues were harvested. Tumor weights of NS and rhBMP2 group were compared. *P < 0.05. (G) RhBMP2 concentration in peripheral blood of ICR mice at each time point for NS and rhBMP2 groups, and the results of each time point were compared. *P < 0.05. (H) The average tumor volumes of subcutaneous Hepa1-6 tumors in C57BL/6 mice after the material implantation. Data were expressed as means ± SEM (n = 5). “n” indicated the number of mice used. **P < 0.01. (I) C57BL/6 mice in (A) were sacrificed and tumor tissues were harvested. The digital image of subcutaneous Hepa1-6 tumors was displayed. (J) C57BL/6 mice in (A) were sacrificed and tumor tissues were harvested. Tumor weights of NS and rhBMP2 group were compared. *P < 0.05. (K) RhBMP2 concentration in peripheral blood of C57BL/6 mice at each time point for NS and rhBMP2 groups, and the results of each time point were compared. *P < 0.05.