Figure 4

Following stimulation by the inflammatory cytokines (mainly TNFα), the tumor cells show typical characteristics of EMT. The T47D and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells were stimulated by TNFα and IL-1β for 72 hr. Note: The cytokine concentrations were chosen based on analyses in which their effects on the tumor cells were tested in a dose-dependent manner (data not shown). (a) Stimulation of T47D cells with 300 U/ml TNFα (a1) or with 1000 U/ml TNFα (a2). The membranous expression of E-cadherin was determined in live cells by flow cytometry. The figure presents the results of a representative experiment of n = 3, all showing similar results. (b) Stimulation of MCF-7 cells with 300 U/ml TNFα (b1) or 1000 U/ml TNFα (b2). The membranous expression of E-cadherin was determined in live cells by flow cytometry. The figure presents the results of a representative experiment of n > 3, all showing similar results. (c) T47D human breast carcinoma cells were stimulated by IL-1β (500 pg/ml). The membranous expression of E-cadherin was determined in live cells by flow cytometry. The figure presents the results of a representative experiment of n = 3, all showing similar results. (d) MCF-7 cells were stimulated by 1000 U/ml TNFα, and β-catenin expression (green) was determined by confocal analyses, in fixed cells. Nuclei are shown by blue DAPI staining. The figure presents the results of a representative experiment of n = 3, all showing similar results.