Fig. 6

The integrin–yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway conducts mechanical signals into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells to induce differences in stemness expression. A Western blot (WB) analysis of the abundance of YAP and pYAP in HCCLM3 and Huh7 cells on hydrogel with different stiffness. B Relative YAP and pYAP protein abundance determined by quantifying band density with ImageJ software. After normalization to GAPDH protein expression for each sample, the semi-quantitate results were obtained as a ratio. C Relative mRNA expression levels of NANOG and OCT4 in HCCLM3 cells on hydrogel with different stiffness treated with verteporfin or ATN-161. D WB analysis of YAP and pYAP abundance in HCCLM3 and Huh7 cells on stiff hydrogel treated with verteporfin or ATN-161