Fig. 2.

LAMC2 expression correlates with stemness and chemoresistance. a qPCR analysis for LAMC2 gene expression in adherent cells versus spheres. Data are normalized to GAPDH and are presented as fold change in gene expression relative to adherent cells. b Western blot analysis for LAMC2 in adherent cells versus spheres. Parallel β-ACTIN immunoblotting was performed. c qPCR analysis for CD44 and LAMC2 gene expression in CD44⁺ sorted cells. Data are normalized to GAPDH and are presented as fold change in gene expression relative to CD44⁻ cells. d qPCR analysis for CD133 and LAMC2 gene expression in CD133⁺ sorted cells. Data are normalized to GAPDH and are presented as fold change in gene expression relative to CD133⁻ cells. e Western blot analysis for LAMC2 in sh empty and LAMC2 knockdown cells. Parallel β-ACTIN immunoblotting was performed. f qPCR analysis for LAMC2 and CD44 expression for sh empty versus LAMC2 knockdown cells. Data are normalized to GAPDH expression and are presented as fold change in gene expression relative to sh empty. g Flow cytometry quantification of CD44 in sh empty and LAMC2 knockdown cells. h Representative images of sh empty and LAMC2 knockdown cells grown as spheres. i Sphere formation capacity of sh empty and LAMC2 knockdown cells. P1 = 1^st generation; P2 = 2^nd generation. j Organoid formation capacity for sh empty versus LAMC2 knockdown cells. k Growth capacity of sh empty and LAMC2 knockdown cells in the presence of 100 μM Gemcitabine (GEM). l qPCR analysis for LAMC2, CNT1, CNT2 and CNT3 genes in sh empty versus LAMC2 knockdown cells. Data are normalized to GAPDH expression and are presented as fold change in gene expression relative to sh empty. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.005, ***p < 0.0005. n $\ge 3.$ Statistical significance was assessed by Student's t-test