Fig. 6.

Ahr ^−/− mice exhibited increased liver SREBP2 expression and accelerated tumorigenesis. (A) The levels of SREBP2 and HMGCR were analyzed by Western blotting in livers from WT and Ahr ^−/− mice (n = 3 per group). (B) WT or Ahr ^−/− mice were transfected with Ras/Myc by HTVi and killed 24 d later. Representative macroscopic views of livers, H&E staining, and IHC of Ki67 in mouse HCCs. (C) The LW/BW ratio, tumor number, and the SW/BW ratio of each group (WT n = 5; Ahr ^−/− n = 5). (D) Experimental procedure. WT or Ahr ^−/− mice with ABX treatment were given PBS or Ficz by intraperitoneal injection once daily for 21 consecutive days. Mice were transfected with Ras/Myc by HTVi 2 wk after PBS or Ficz treatment and were killed 24 d after HTVi. (E) Levels of AhR, SREBP2, and HMGCR were analyzed using Western blotting in livers of WT and Ahr^−/−  mice. (F) Representative macroscopic views of livers, H&E staining, and IHC of Ki67 in mouse HCCs. (G) The LW/BW ratio, tumor number, and the SW/BW ratio of each group (WT-ABX + PBS, n = 5; WT-ABX + Ficz, n = 6; Ahr ^−/−-ABX + PBS, n = 5; Ahr ^−/−-ABX + Ficz, n = 5). Data were presented as mean ± SEM, P values were calculated by Student’s t test. ns, not significant; *P <0.05; **P <0.01; ***P <0.001.