MST4 negatively regulates HCC cell migration, invasion, and intrahepatic metastasis (IM) in vitro and in vivo. (A) Representative photographs of the migratory and invasive properties of dnMST4-expressing Bel-7402 and Bel-7404 cells. (B) Quantification of migratory and invasive properties of dnMST4-expressing Bel-7402 and Bel-7404 cells. (C) Representative images of the migratory and invasive properties of MST4-overexpressing Bel-7402 and Bel-7404 cells. (D) Quantification of migratory and invasive properties of MST4-overexpressing HCC cells. (E) Representative pictures of the livers from nude mice after subcapsular liver transplantation of vector-expressing (LV-con) or dnMST4-expressing (LV-dnMST4) Bel-7402 cells (7 mice/group). Photographs were recorded under natural light (upper panel) or under fluorescent stereomicroscope (lower panel). (F) The diameter of the primary tumors in the livers of nude mice. (G) The number of IM nodules in the livers of nude mice. (H) Representative H&E staining of liver tissue samples from nude mice after subcapsular liver transplantation of vector- or dnMST4-expressing Bel-7402 cells. (a and b) primary tumor, (c) satellite nodules near the primary tumor lesion, (d) vascular invasion, (e) lymph node metastasis, and (f) peripheral nerve invasion. P: primary tumor; M: metastatic nodule. (I) Survival curve of nude mice transplanted with vector- (bule line) or dnMST4-expressing (red line) Bel-7402 cells into hepatic subcapsular space. Data are mean ± SEM (*P< 0.05, **P <0.01, ***P <0.001).