FIGURE 3.

Occludin (OCLN) mediates bladder cancer (BLCA) angiogenesis by regulating IL8 expression. (A) Venn diagram showing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the two T24 OCLN knockdown groups compared with the control groups (fold change ≥1, FDR < 0.1, p < .05). (B) Heatmap of the RNA sequencing analysis showing the relative levels of proangiogenic factors. Columns represent probe sets, and rows represent samples receiving the indicated treatments. (C) The relative mRNA levels of proangiogenic factors were detected in control and OCLN shRNA transfected 5637 and T24 cells. (D) The relative IL8 levels in control and OCLN shRNA‐transfected 5637 and T24 cells were measured using an ELISA (pg/ml). (E) The relative IL8 mRNA levels were detected in 5637 and T24 cells following transfection with the vector or OCLN plasmid. (F) Tube formation by EA.hy926 cells cultured with CM derived from 5637 and T24 OCLN‐silenced BLCA cells. IL8 was added, and the cells were stained with Calcein AM and then imaged with a fluorescence microscope. Scale bar = 100 µm. (G) The segment lengths were analysed, and the meshes were quantified using ImageJ software. The results are shown as the mean ± SD. *.01 < p < .05; **.001 < p < .01; ***p < .001