Fig. 3
From: The permissive role of TCTP in PM2.5/NNK-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition in lung cells
TCTP controlled vimentin expression and mediated PM2.5- and NNK-induced metastasis of lung cells. a TCTP controlled vimentin expression. Bet1A cells were first treated with PM2.5 or NNK for 28 days, then the cells were co-transfected with scramble shRNA pSicoR vector + empty pEGFP vector or cells were transfected with pSicoR vector containing TCTP shRNA or pEGFP vector containing TCTP gene respectively. Cells were incubated for another 24 h. The levels of TCTP and vimentin were determined as indicated. The equal loading was confirmed by measuring actin protein. The quantification of protein was carried out by densitometry analysis, and the result was presented by the relative intensity of the control condition based on actin normalization for total protein expressed. The relative intensity of protein bands was summarized by column figure. The values indicate the mean ± SD of three independent experiments (**p < 0.01 vs vector control; ##p < 0.01 vs vector + PM2.5 or vector + NNK respectively). b TCTP was required for PM2.5- or NNK-induced cell migration. Bet1A cells were treated with PM2.5 or NNK for 28 days. Then the cells were transfected with empty vector or vector contained TCTP gene or TCTP shRNA respectively, and cells were incubated for another 48 h. Cell migration was detected by wound-healing assay. Images were taken using phase contrast microscope (Nikon) (scale bar, 20 μm). The relative percentage of wound healed was expressed as mean ± SD of three independent experiments. **p < 0.01 vs vector control; ##p < 0.01 vs vector + PM2.5 or vector + NNK respectively. c TCTP was required for PM2.5- or NNK-induced cell invasion. Bet1A cells were treated by PM2.5 or NNK for 28 days. Then the cells transfected with vectors as indicated and incubated for another 48 h. Cell invasion was detected by trans-well experiment. Images were taken using phase contrast microscope (Nikon) (scale bar, 20 μm). The numbers of invading cells in four randomly selected high-power fields (HPF) were counted and the average number of cells in a HPF was calculated. The values indicate the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. **p < 0.01 vs vector control; ##p < 0.01 vs vector + PM2.5 or vector + NNK respectively