Figure 5.

Deficiency of UGDH by shRNA decreased tumour growth in a xenograft model in vivo. Knockdown efficiency of shRNA was measured by immunoblotting. The results showed that UGDH shRNA decreased the protein expression level of UGDH in TOV21G^LI and TOV21G^HI cell lines by more than 80%. Transwell migration assay and transwell Matrigel invasion assay were performed to examine the effects of shUGDH in TOV21G cells. A, B, Migrated and invaded cells in transwell assays are shown in representative images. The values of relative metastatic ability were normalized to the cells transduced with an empty vector. Data derived from three independent experiments are presented as the mean ± SEM. **, P < .01; ***, P < .001 compared to cells transduced with empty vector. C, Wound healing of TOV21G^LI control, TOV21G^LI shUGDH, TOV21G^HI control and TOV21G^HI‐shUGDH cell lines were observed and photographed at 0, 4, 8 and 12 h by optical microscopy. The healing areas at certain times were quantified with AxioVision 4.8 software. Values of the healing area were normalized to that of each experimental group at 0 h. Data are represented as the mean ± SEM. ***, P < .001 compared to control ovarian cancer cells. D, Tumour growth of TOV21G^HI control (n = 6 mice) and TOV21G^HI‐shUGDH (n = 6 mice) in the xenograft model via subcutaneous injection. The tumour weights were measured, and the results were statistically analysed. Data are represented as the mean ± SEM. ***, P < .001 compared to the cells transduced with empty vector group. E, Immunohistochemical images represent nuclear staining (blue colour) and the expression level of UGDH (brown colour). Bottom: Zoom‐in images of indicated areas. The UGDH intensity of TOV21G^HI control and TOV21G^HI‐shUGDH tumour tissue was detected and quantified by ImageJ software. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM. ***, P < .001 compared to the TOV21G^HI control group