Fig. 9.

Knockout PCSK9 in mice marginally impacts melanoma growth. (a, b) B16 EV, PCSK9, D374Y, and Q152H cells were used to produce subcutaneous allografts in Pcsk9^−/− male mice (4 mice per cell line). Experiments were terminated at tumor volume endpoint (≥ 1000 mm³). Tumor volumes and survival cure were constructed. **: p < 0.01 compared to EV; $$: p < 0.001 and $$$: p < 0.0001 compared to Q152H. (c, d) Oil Red O (c) and filipin (d) staining of the indicated allografts (5 tumor for C57BL/6 and 4 tumors for Pcsk9^−/−). Typical images (left panel) and quantifications (means ± SD) are graphed. **: p < 0.01. (e) Comparisons of the growth for the indicated B16 tumors in C57BL/6 and Pcsk9^−/− mice. *: p < 0.05 at the indicated time points determined by 2-tailed Student’s t-test. (f) Quantification of Oil Red O and filipin staining in the indicated B16 tumors produced in C57BL/6 and Pcsk9^−/− mice. ***: p < 0.001 and ****: p < 0.0001 in the indicated comparisons