Fig. 3

SOX2 knockdown reduces the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells in xenograft models. a Representative xenografts formed by SOX2 knockdown, control and SOX2 overexpression breast cancer cells. Tumours were collected and examined 7 weeks after inoculation of ZR7530 cells. b-c SOX2 knockdown and SOX2 overexpression significantly reduces and increases the size and weight of xenografts, respectively (n = 5 per cohort, p < 0.01). d) Representative HE staining of metastatic foci in the lung tissues of BALB/c nude mice 8 weeks after injection with ZR7530 (SOX2 knockdown, control and SOX2 overexpression). Note the presence of blood vessels (star) in the tumour nodule of control group, arrows point to metastatic areas. e–f SOX2 knockdown significantly reduces the numbers of tumour nodule initiated by ZR7530 cells and it also reduces the ratio of metastatic tumour area/total lung area. However, SOX2 overexpression significantly increases the numbers of tumour nodule and the ratio of metastatic tumour area/total lung area. Data are represented as mean ± SD (n = 5 for each cohort, p < 0.001). * indicates p < 0.05, ** indicates p < 0.01, *** indicates p < 0.001 vs control, and the error bars indicate the mean ± standard deviation (SD)