Fig. 2.

CCR5 inhibition reduces colonization and migration of CRC cells. Effects of CCR5 inhibition on colony formation ability were investigated by transfecting the cells with gene specific siRNA or exposure to maraviroc (IC₂₀). Following 48 h of treatment in both cases, equal cell numbers were re-suspended in a semi liquid medium and allowed to form colonies for 6–8 days (large ≥ 30 cells, small < 30 cells) (a). Trans-well chamber and scratch assays demonstrated that targeting CCR5 via siRNA or the antagonist (IC₂₀) reduced the directional migration of CRC cells either towards a

source of nutrients (FBS) or other cancer cells in vitro (b, c). Experiments were repeated at least twice and minimally three replicates to validate the results. Asterisks above the bars indicate statistically significant differences among control and treated groups (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001)