GASC1 Promotes Stemness of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via NOTCH1 Promoter Demethylation

Figure 4

GASC1 is involved in CSC-like properties of ESCC cells. (a) Relative expression of GASC1 in purified ALDH^-/+ cells from primary ECs. (b) Sphere forming ability of KYSE150 cells with GASC1 knockdown (shGASC1-5 and shGASC1-7) and usage of CA (5, 10, and 20 μM) was analyzed. One representative micrograph is shown. The results are presented as histograms. (c) The percentages of ALDH⁺ cells before and after knockdown of GASC1 (shGASC1-5 and shGASC1-7) and treatment with CA (2, 5, 10, and 20 μM) in KYSE150 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. (d) ALDH⁺ KYSE150 cells before and after GASC1 knockdown and treatment with CA (10 μM) subjected to double immunofluorescence for GASC1 (green), ALDH (red), and DAPI (blue). One representative micrograph is shown. (e) Tumor volumes were measured after ALDH⁺ KYSE150 cell implantation with GASC1 knockdown (shGASC1-5 and shGASC1-7) and CA usage (5 and 10 μM). (f) The numbers of metastatic lesions in lung were measured in groups before and after GASC1 knockdown and CA usage (10 μM). Data are represented as means ± SD. Scale bar represents 30 μm. = P < 0.05.

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