Figure 5: Overexpression of ZEB1 in CMT cells results in a less differentiated phenotype and resistance to TGF-β inhibition.

(A) Light microscope images of CMT-luc control vector and CMT-ZEBOE vector in vitro. (B) qRT-PCR of Zeb1, Vimentin, and E-cadherin in CMT-luc control vector and CMT-ZEBOE vector cells. (C) Western blot of Zeb1, Vimentin, and E-cadherin in LLC-luc, CMT-luc parentas, CMT-luc control vector and CMT-ZEBOE vector cells. (D,E) WT mice were orthotopically injected with CMT control vector or CMT-luc ZEBOE and treated with TGFβRI inhibitor SB431542 or vehicle control (1:1 DMSO:PBS) starting 10 days after injection and continuing 5 days a week for 5 weeks. There were five mice per group in the vehicle treated and 6 mice per group in the SB431542 treated. (D) Primary tumor size was measured by caliper and reported as the tumor volume in mm³. (E) Number of secondary lung metastases was counted on H&E stained lung tissue sections. (*p<0.05, **p<0.01)