Figure 9. PROX1 is indispensable for EV-packaged-hnRNPA1–induced lymphangiogenesis and LN metastasis of KRAS^G12D PDAC.

(A–C) Representative images and quantification of tube formation and migration of PANC-1-EV_si-NC– or PANC-1-EV_si-hnRNPA1#1–treated hnRNPA1^KO HLECs with or without PROX1 overexpression and VEGF-C–neutralizing antibody. Scale bars: 100 μm. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test was used. (D and E) Representative images and quantification of bioluminescence of the popliteal metastatic LNs (n = 12 per group). One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test was used. (F) The analysis of LN metastasis rate in indicated groups of popliteal LN metastasis model. The χ² test was used. (G–I) Representative H&E-stained and IHC images and quantification of LYVE-1–positive lymphatic vessels and PROX1 expression in footpad tumors. Scale bar: 50 μm. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test was used. (J) Kaplan-Meier curves for the nude mice. (K) Schematic representation of KPC mouse model establishment (n = 8 per group). One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test was used. (L) Quantification of the metastatic number of peripancreatic LNs. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test was used. (M and N) Quantification of IHC analysis for LYVE-1–positive lymphatic vessels and PROX1 expression in pancreatic tumors. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test was used. Data are presented as mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.