Fig. 1

A higher matrix stiffness promotes liver cancer cells proliferation and invasion. A The matrix stiffness of tumor tissues from liver cancer patients with low degree malignant (LD, stage A ~ B) and high degree malignant (HD, stage C ~ D), examined by AFM analysis. B The relative cells proliferation of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells cultured on the tunable PA hydrogels with a stiffness of 12 kPa (LS, low stiffness) or 16 kPa (HS, high stiffness). C The tumor growth of SMMC-7721 cells, pre-cultured in tunable PA hydrogels with a stiffness of 12 kPa (LS) or 16 kPa (HS), in nude mice established as indicated, tumor volume was measured at the indicated time points (n = 6 mice per group). D The relative colony number of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 pre-cultured in tunable PA hydrogels with a stiffness of 12 kPa (LS) or 16 kPa (HS). E The percent of tumorigenesis of SMMC-7721 cells, pre-cultured in tunable PA hydrogels with a stiffness of 12 kPa (LS) or 16 kPa (HS), in nude mice established as indicated. F The CD133 expression of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells pre-cultured in tunable PA hydrogels with a stiffness of 12 kPa (LS) or 16 kPa (HS), measured by flow cytometry as indicated. G The relative migrative cells of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells pre-cultured in tunable PA hydrogels with a stiffness of 12 kPa (LS) or 16 kPa (HS). The scale bar is 30 μm. Data represent mean ± SD, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 or as indicated