Fig. 5

Effects of AhR/CYP1A1 activation and inhibition on breast CSCs marker SP. a-c MCF-7 cells were treated for 72 h with TCDD 10 nM and DMBA 5 μM (a) or in the presence of α-NF 10 μM (b). Pelleted MCF-7 cells were incubated with DCV (10 μM) and the percentage of SP cells were then determined using LSRII® flow cytometer. c The values represent mean ± SEM (n = 3). *; p < 0.05 compared to control. #; p < 0.05 compared to corresponding treatment in the absence of α-NF. d-f MCF-7 cells were stably transfected with specific AhR shRNA, thereafter, (d) the mRNA expression of AhR and CYP1A1 were quantified by RT-PCR normalized to β-ACTIN housekeeping gene. Duplicate reactions were performed for each experiment and the values are presented as mean ± SEM (n = 6). *p < 0.05 compared to corresponding control shRNA. e AhR and CYP1A1 protein expression levels were determined by Western blot analysis using the enhanced chemiluminescence method and one of three representative experiments is shown. f Pelleted MCF-7 cells were incubated with DCV (10 μM) and the percentage of SP cells were then determined using LSRII® flow cytometer. The values represent mean ± SEM (n = 3). *; p < 0.05 compared to control shRNA