SLB-1 Hbz knockdown cell proliferation is significantly reduced in NOG mice. (A) NOG mice were inoculated with 107 parental SLB-1, stable lentiviral-infected SLB-1 derivatives (V4, V5), or Jurkat cell control (5 mice each). Because SLB-1 secretes IL-2Rα, mouse serum levels of IL-2Rα were measured by ELISA as a biomarker for SLB-1 proliferation in vivo. Each dot represents the average absorbance value of a single inoculated mouse at 0, 7, 15, and 22 days after inoculation within each group. The horizontal line represents the average of the mouse group at each weekly time point and the dotted line represents negative absorbance values. * denotes significant differences from controls. Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA followed by Tukey test. (B) Western blot analysis was performed on total tumor cell lysates of individual mice as indicated. HBZ and Tax levels were quantified and normalized to β-actin control by densitometry. Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA followed by Tukey test. (C) Immunohistochemistry was performed on representative mouse liver tissue stained for Ki67 human antigen, a marker for proliferation. The glass slides were digitally scanned and captured at 40× magnification using the Aperio ScanScope and ImageScope Software (Aperio Technologies. Vista, CA). Average liver counts for each group are: SLB-1, 389.25 (n = 4); SLB-V4, 97.75 (n = 4); and SLB-V5, 358.6 (n = 5).
