Fig. 8

circTLK1 knockdown inhibits tumorigenesis and lung metastasis of RCC cells in vivo. a Xenograft tumor models showed that tumors grown from the shcircTLK1 group were smaller than those grown from the shNC group (n=5). b and c Compared with the shNC group, the shcircTLK1 group had tumors with significantly decreased volume and weight. d Knockdown of circTLK1 inhibited the mRNA expression of CBX4 and VEGFA in vivo. e An IHC assay was performed to evaluate the protein expression of Ki67, CBX4 and VEGFA. f Representative images of the mouse lungs after transplantation for 8 weeks. g The number of lung metastases in each group. h HE staining of metastatic nodules of the lungs. i-k Xenograft tumor model showed that forced expression of CBX4 reversed the cell growth inhibition induced by silencing circTLK1. l Schematic diagram displaying the mechanism underlying circTLK1 as a ceRNA for miR-136-5p. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01