Figure 2

The disc colony is reversibly induced by EGF plus crypt growth factors. A) Quantitation of round (spheroid) and flat (disc) colonies of HCT-116 cells grown in 3-D matrigel for 6 days with the indicated combinations of growth factors; R-Spondin1 (R), Noggin (N), EGF (E), and Wnt3a (W). Results shown are mean percent of round or flat colonies +/− standard error of the mean (SEM), n>3. B) Quantitation of round and flat colonies of HCT-116 cells in a heterogeneous population grown in E or RNEW media for 6 days and then the reverse media for an additional 6 days as depicted by the scheme below the histogram. Results are expressed as mean percent of round or disc morphology +/− standard error of the mean (SEM), n>3, *p < 0.05. C) Quantitation of round or flat colonies of HCT-116 cells from a pure (100%) population of round or disc colonies grown in either E or RNEW media for 6 days as depicted below the histogram. Results are expressed as mean percent of round or disc morphology +/− standard error of the mean (SEM), n>3, *p < 0.05.