Figure 7

Zeb1 knockdown decreases Bmi1 expression as well as sphere-forming capability in HCT-116 cells treated with or without IL-1β. (A) Zeb1 knockdown inhibits Bmi1 expression in either IL-1β-treated or untreated cells. Scramble and shZeb1 HCT-116 cells were cultured in SFM in the presence or absence of IL-1β for seven days. Expression of Zeb1 and Bmi1 was determined using immunoblot assay on lysates from scramble and shZeb1 cells treated with or without IL-1β. β-actin was used as an sample loading control. Normalized quantification of band intensities on immunoblot for Zeb1 and Bmi1 is listed under each band. (B) Zeb1 knockdown reduces sphere-forming capability in HCT-116 cells as well as inhibits IL-1β-induced sphere formation. Scramble or shZeb1 cells (1 cell/μl) were cultured in 96-well plates containing 100 μl SFM in each well with or without IL-1β for seven days. The number of spheres was counted under a microscope and size was measured using ImageJ. The data are presented as relative sphere number and size as compared to scramble cells cultured in the absence of IL-1β. Error bars represent SEM. *p < 0.05.