Additional file 2: of MiR-16 regulates the pro-tumorigenic potential of lung fibroblasts through the inhibition of HGF production in an FGFR-1- and MEK1-dependent manner

Figure S2. In vivo characterization of the immortalized CAF154 fibroblasts. To exclude that the ectopic expression of hTERT and the prolonged culturing had affected the capacity of the CAFs to promote tumor engraftment rate, we characterized the pro-tumorigenic properties CAF154-hTERT cells in vivo by co-injecting CAF154-hTERT and A549 cell lines in immunocompromized mice. We found that the ectopic expression of hTERT did not affect the pro-tumorigenic capability of CAFs to promote the tumor take (A), the volume of the subcutaneous nodules (B), and the dissemination of human cells to the lungs (C) compared to the non-transfected counterpart CAF154 cell line. Based on this evidence, we concluded that the immortalization process did not alter the pro-tumorigenic features of CAF154 cells both in vitro and in vivo. (TIFF 166Â kb