Fig. 3

LTBP1 promoted ESCC cells migration, invasion and metastasis. a, b Efficiency of si-LTBP1 measured with qRT-PCR and Western blot. LTBP1 was reduced in si-LTBP1 groups compared with that in si-NC controls. c Cell proliferation capacity showed no significant changes in si-LTBP1 cells compared with the control cells, as measured by CCK8 assays. d Transwell migration assays of si-NC cells and si-LTBP1 cells (left). The number of cells that migrated after 24 h was counted in five randomly selected microscopic fields (right). e Transwell matrigel invasion assays of siNC cells and si-LTBP1 cells (left). The number of cells that invaded after 24 h was counted in five randomly selected microscopic fields (right). f ShLTBP1-ECA109, CON-ECA109 cells were injected into the tail vein of nude mouse. Lung tissues were autopsied 4 weeks after injection. Images of lung (left) and H&E staining (middle) of lung tissue sections were shown. Number of lung metastatic nodules (right) were significantly decreased in shLTBP1-ECA109 group. Bar graphs represent quantitative data from three independent experiments. Paired-samples t-test, *p < 0.05