FIGURE 2.

Occludin (OCLN) promotes tumour angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. (a and b) The knockdown efficiency was confirmed by performing (A) Western blotting and (B) RT‐qPCR assays using 5637 and T24 cells. (C), Tube formation by EA.hy926 cells incubated with CM derived from 5637 and T24 OCLN‐silenced bladder cancer (BLCA) cells was assessed using staining with Calcein AM and imaging with a fluorescence microscope. Scale bar = 100 µm. (d and e) The OCLN plasmid was transfected into 5637 and T24 cells; the efficiency of overexpression was analysed using (D) Western blotting and (E) RT‐qPCR. (F) Tube formation by EA.hy926 cells incubated with CM derived from 5637 and T24 OCLN overexpressing cells was assessed using staining with Calcein AM and imaging with a fluorescence microscope. Scale bar = 100 µm. (G) The segment lengths were analysed, and the meshes were quantified using ImageJ software. (H) Matrigel plugs containing 5637 and T24 OCLN stable knockdown cells were removed from BALB/c nude mice. (I) CD31 staining in the indicated cells embedded in Matrigel plugs after growth in BALB/c nude mice. Scale bar = 100 µm. (J) The density of microvessels in Matrigel plugs from BALB/c nude mice injected with the indicated cells. (K) IHC staining showing CD31 levels in clinical patients with high‐/low‐grade BLCA. Scale bar = 100 µm. The results are shown as the mean ± SD. *.01 < p < .05; **.001 < p < .01