Fig. 6

LMOD1/FGF1 in CAFs promotes CRC cell invasion and metastasis by regulating the EMT process. A Correlation analysis between LMOD1 and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) based on TCGA-CRC. B Pearsons’s correlation coefficient between LMOD1 and FGF1 expression based on TCGA data. C Non-contact co-culture unit of CAFs and CRC cells for cell migration (Wound healing assay). A 1:1 ratio of the cells was employed. D, E Cell migration (Wound healing assay) in RKO and SW480 cells with the intervention of CAFs over-/under-expressing LMOD1 in the presence or absence of si-FGF1. (Scale bars = 100 μm, magnification, × 200). F The cell invasion (Transwell assay) assay for non-contact co-culture unit of CAFs and CRC cells. A 1:1 ratio of the cells was employed. G, H Cell invasion (Transwell assay) for RKO and SW480 cells with the intervention of CAFs over-/under-expressing LMOD1 in the presence or absence of si-FGF1. (Scale bars = 100 μm, magnification, × 200). I Association of LMOD1 with EMT-related genes based on TCGA-CRC. J, K The expression of EMT-associated proteins in RKO and SW480 cells as determined by western blotting (n = 3 replicates). Data are shown as mean ± SEM, ****P < 0.0001, ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05. All assays were replicated thrice, independently