Fig. 3

RP11-296E3.2 regulates CRC cell proliferation and metastasis in vivo. A Schematic representation of the subcutaneous implantation tumor model. BALB/c nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with HT29 cells (5 × 10⁶), and tumors were allowed to form for 4 weeks. B RP11-296E3.2 expression levels in sh-Con and sh-RP11-296E3.2 stably transduced HT29 cells. Knockdown of RP11-296E3.2 inhibited CRC cell proliferation in nude mice. C Representative bioluminescence images of subcutaneous tumors, D gross morphology of subcutaneous tumors, tumor sizes and tumor weights. The data are presented as the means ± SDs. Statistical significance was assessed using unpaired t test for two comparisons. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. E HE and Ki67 staining and verification of the RP11-296E3.2 knockdown efficiency in suppressing tumor growth. Scale bars, 200 μm. F Schematic depicting the establishment of the liver metastasis xenograft model. The hepatic portal vein of BALB/c nude mice was injected with HT29 cells (5 × 10⁶), and metastases were allowed to form for 6 weeks. G Representative bioluminescence images (left) and bioluminescence tracking plots (right). H RP11-296E3.2 expression level in liver xenograft tumors in the sh-Con and sh-RP11-296E3.2 groups. I Representative gross morphology and J HE staining of the livers of mice. Scale bars, 2 mm (left), 200 μm (right). The data are presented as the means ± SDs. Statistical significance was assessed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001