Fig. 2

Downregulation of pro-SFTPB expression stimulates NSCLC progression. a The indicated NSCLC cells were transfected with pro-SFTPB shRNA, and pro-SFTPB expression levels were measured by Western blotting 72 h after transfection. b-c Downregulation of pro-SFTPB expression stimulates invasion (b) and migration (c) by NSCLC cells. Forty-eight hours after transfection with pro-SFTPB shRNA, the cells were subjected to invasion and migration assays. d Downregulation of pro-SFTPB expression increased cell viability. Twenty-four hours after transfection with SFTPB shRNA, the cells were reseeded in 96-well plates, and MTT assays were performed. e Downregulation of pro-SFTPB expression stimulates colony formation in soft agar by NSCLC cells. The cells were subjected to analysis 24 h after transfection with pro-SFTPB shRNA. f-g Subcutaneous xenograft model experiment (n = 6/group) showing that downregulation of pro-SFTPB stimulated tumorigenicity (f) and tumor growth (g) in H1299 cells. h Lung metastasis analysis showing that downregulation of pro-SFTPB expression stimulated tumor metastasis (n = 6/group). sh pro-SFTPB, shRNA of pro-SFTPB. * indicates comparison with the scrambled control group. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001