Fig. 3
Co-inoculation of Serpin E1-overexpressed fibroblasts and primary GC cells promotes subcutaneous tumor growth by inducing angiogenesis in nude mice. A Tumorigenicity assays show that fibroblast-derived Serpin E1 enhances the tumorigenic potential of primary GC cells. Mice were killed 24 days after co-inoculation. Tumor volume was calculated using the formula: 1/2 × length × width2. Line graphs represent the mean ± SD (n = 3); *P < 005, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001 vs. GC group. B HE staining and IHC staining for Ki67, Serpin E1, and CD31 on sections from the subcutaneous tumor (n = 3). Scale bars: 500 μm or 200 μm (upper 2 rows) and 20 μm (lower 2 rows). C Quantification of IHC staining using Image J software. Bar graphs and dot plots show the mean ± SD (n = 3); *p < 0.05, and **p < 0.05