Epitranscriptomic regulation of the COX-2/PGE2 axis by hnRNPA2B1 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression

Figure 6 Targeting the hnRNPA2B1-cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E2 axis suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tumor growth in vivo. A: Representative images of subcutaneous xenograft tumors derived from Eca109 cells with hnRNPA2B1 knockdown (hnRNPA2B1 short hairpin RNA) or corresponding control (control short hairpin RNA), and hnRNPA2B1 overexpression or corresponding control (negative control); B: Quantification of tumor volume and tumor weight in the indicated groups; C: Representative hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry staining of hnRNPA2B1, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and Ki-67 in xenograft tumors from the indicated groups; D: Quantification of hnRNPA2B1-, COX-2-, and Ki-67-positive cells in (C); E: Schematic diagram of the xenograft study design and celecoxib treatment regimen; F: Representative images of xenograft tumors from mice bearing negative control or overexpression Eca109 xenografts with or without celecoxib treatment, and parental Eca109 xenografts with or without celecoxib treatment; G: Quantification of tumor volume and tumor weight in the groups shown in (F); H: Representative hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry staining of hnRNPA2B1, COX-2, and Ki-67 in xenograft tumors with or without celecoxib treatment, as indicated; I: Quantification of hnRNPA2B1-, COX-2-, and Ki-67-positive cells in (H). Data are presented as mean ± SD. Statistical significance was determined by Student’s t-test for two-group comparisons or one-way ANOVA for multiple-group comparisons, as appropriate. Scale bars = 1 cm in (A) and (F), and 100 μm in (C) and (H). ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, and ^cP < 0.001. shCON: Control short hairpin RNA; NC: Negative control; OE: Overexpression; shA2B1: HnRNPA2B1 short hairpin RNA; COX-2: Cyclooxygenase-2; H&E: Hematoxylin and eosin; i.p.: Intraperitoneal; s.c.: Subcutaneous.