Figure 5

TXNIP overexpression in ATC T238 cells attenuates tumor growth and metastasis in an in vivo orthotopic murine thyroid cancer model. T238 cells stably expressing luciferase-IRES-GFP and either TXNIP or empty vector were injected into the right lobe of the thyroid gland of athymic nude mice with the aid of a dissecting microscope to enhance visualization. Weekly imaging with IVIS after injection of luciferin was performed to monitor tumor establishment and growth. There were 10–11 mice per group in each experiment, and the experiment was performed two times. (A) Representative images of one mouse per group imaged by IVIS over time are shown. (B) Quantitation of the bioluminescence from one experiment is shown with average and SEM. Closed squares (∎) indicate vector control group, and open diamonds (◊) indicate TXNIP group. (C) Final tumor volumes, as calculated from caliper measurements, from both experiments are combined and plotted with averages and SEM. To assess for lung metastasis, RNA isolated from whole lungs was subjected to qRT-PCR analysis to assess GFP expression. Data was normalized to 18 s RNA levels, and averages plus SD were plotted (D). RNA isolated from lungs of mice receiving no tumor cell injections was included as an additional negative control for GFP expression and is indicated with closed circles (●). *p <0.05, **p =0.0021, ***p <0.001, ****p <0.0001.