Fig. 2
FBXL6 facilitates KRASG12D-driven hepatocarcinogenesis and lung metastasis. LSL-Fbxl6KI/+;Alb-Cre (LC), LSL-KrasG12D/+;Alb-Cre (KC) and LSL-KrasG12D/+;LSL-Fbxl6KI/+;Alb-Cre (KLC) mice were monitored for 320 d and then sacrificed. a Representative images of tumorigenesis in LC, KC and KLC mice. b Quantification of the tumor number, tumor size, and liver/body weight ratio of LC (n = 13), KC (n = 10), and KLC mice (n = 12). qPCR was utilized to measure the expression of HCC markers (Cd44, Afp, Gpc3 and Ly6d) (c), proliferation markers (Ki67, Pcna, Ccnb1, and Ccnb2) (d), and metastasis-related markers (Icam1, Vcam1, Mmp9 and Ccl2) (e), in WT liver tissues, LC tumors, KC tumors and KLC tumors. Lung tissues were collected from LC, KC and KLC mice for HE and IHC staining. Representative images of HE and IHC staining for lipase C (LIPC) showing distinct lung metastatic foci expressing LIPC (f). Scale bars = 200 or 50 μm. The ratio of lung metastasis in each cohort was calculated (g). Data are represented as the mean ± SEM. One-way ANOVA was used in (b–e). ns non‑significant; *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001. Fbxl6 F-box and leucine-rich repeat 6, Kras kirsten rat sarcoma, Afp alpha fetoprotein, Gpc3 glypican 3, Ly6d lymphocyte antigen 6 family member D, Ki67 marker of proliferation Ki-67, Pcna proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Ccnb1 cyclin B1, Ccnb2 cyclin B2, Icam1 intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Vcam1 vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, Mmp9 matrix metallopeptidase 9, Ccl2 C–C motif chemokine ligand 2, IHC immunohistochemistry, SEM standard error of the mean