Fig. 6. SPR depletion inhibits HCC growth in vivo.
a The effects of SPR depletion on the tumor volumes of xenografts in nude mice. b Loss of SPR reduced the tumor growth rate. SMMC-7721 cells (1 × 106 cells per mouse) were subcutaneously inoculated into the right flank of mice. When the tumor volume reached 100 mm3, siRNA (10 μg per tumor) was injected into tumors once every other day. c SPR knockdown had no effect on the body weight of mice. d, e The levels of SPR and Bim in different groups were detected by western blots and immunohistochemistry. Scale bar: 50 μm. f Schematic representation of the underlying mechanism of SPR based on this study. SPR regulates apoptosis of HCC cells via the FoxO3a/Bim-signaling pathway independently of its enzymatic activity. Each point represents the mean ± SD (n = 6). The p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.