Novel role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: antitumor effects through inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in esophageal cancer

Figures & data

Figure 1 Protein and mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin and vimentin in EC cells.

Notes: Representative Western blotting showing the expression of E-cadherin (A) and vimentin (D) in EC cells treated with and without GM-CSF stimulation. Quantification of the relative protein expression levels of E-cadherin (B) and vimentin (E), normalized against GAPDH protein expression. Quantification of the mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin (C) and vimentin (F) was normalized against GAPDH expression. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.05.
Abbreviations: EC, esophageal cancer; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; mRNA, messenger RNA.

Figure 2 Effect of GM-CSF on proliferation of EC cells.

Notes: The enhanced proliferation rates of Eca109 (A) and 9706 (B) cells. Quantification of proliferation rates of EC cells at 24 h (C), 48 h (D), 72 h (E), and 96 h (F). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.05.
Abbreviations: EC, esophageal cancer; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Figure 3 Effect of GM-CSF on migration of EC cells.

Notes: Microscopic observation of migrating cells through the transwell chamber (magnification, ×200) of Eca109 (A), 9706 (B), Eca109/GM (C), and 9706/GM (D). Quantification of EC cells invading through the membranes (E). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.05.
Abbreviations: EC, esophageal cancer; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Figure 4 Effect of GM-CSF on apoptosis of EC cells.

Notes: Flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis in Eca109 (A), Eca109/GM (B), 9706 (C), and 9706/GM (D) cells. Statistical analysis of apoptotic rate of EC cells (E). Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. *P<0.05.
Abbreviations: EC, esophageal cancer; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; FITC-A, fluorescein isothiocyanate; PI-A, Annexin V Propidium Iodide.

Figure 5 Protein and mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin in EC tissues.

Notes: Immunoreactivity of GM-CSF and E-cadherin in EC tissue sections. Expression in GM-CSF-high group (A, B) and GM-CSF-low group (C, D). Magnification, ×200.
Abbreviations: EC, esophageal cancer; GM-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; mRNA, messenger RNA.