Fig 2: The expression of Notch1 and Hes1 was associated with VM formation in HCC tissuesA. PAS-CD34 staining showed endogenous cells dependent vessels (EDV) and VM in one HCC specimen, yellow arrows indicated EDV, while black arrow indicated VM, original magnification was 200×. B. A large channel-like VM was detected in one HCC specimen, original magnification was 400×. C and D. Spearman correlation showed significant correlation between Notch1 and VM (r=0.590, P<0.001), Hes1 and VM (r=0.568, P<0.001). In C and D, numbers of Y-axis represented with and without VM, “0” represented without VM while “1” represented with VM.

Fig 3: Angiogenesis mediated by hypoxia in the tumour of cachectic patients. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or as median [first quartile; third quartile]. *Significant difference between the groups was tested using unpaired t-test and Mann–Whitney U test (P < 0.05). Protein concentration expressed to medium fluorescent intensity (MFI). (A) Immunohistochemical staining for intratumoural microvessel density [CD34+; weight-stable cancer (WSC): n = 4 and cancer cachexia (CC): n = 4]. (B) Gene expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF1-a) (WSC: n = 7 and CC: n = 7). (C) Protein expression of myokines in tumour micro-environment of cachectic patients (n = 7–8). FGF21, fibroblast growth factor 21; OSM, oncostatin M; qRT-PCR, Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR; SPARC, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine. Scale bar: 110.0 µm.

Fig 4: miR-518b inhibits the growth and angiogenesis of glioblastoma cell lines in vivo. Transfected cells were subcutaneously injected into the flanks of athymic mice for 30 days. (A) Representative images of xenografts from nude mice are presented. (B) Tumor weight of the excised tumors. (C) Immunohistochemical staining of CD34 in xenograft tumors (magnification, 200x). (D) MVD analysis was performed according to CD34 staining. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation (n=5). *P<0.05 vs. miR-ctrl group. miR, microRNA; ctrl, control; CD, cluster of differentiation; MVD, microvessel density.

Fig 5: New blood vessels in ovarian cancer tissues. Representative images and quantification from H&E and immunohistochemical staining for the blood vessel markers CD34 and CD31 (magnification, ×100). **P<0.01.