Immunostaining Protocol: P-Smad2 (Xenograft and Mice)

Abstract

Metastasis depends on a gene program expressed by the tumor microenvironment upon TGF-beta stimulation. CRC (Colorectal cancer) cell lines did not induce robust stromal TGF- beta responses when injected into nude mice as shown by lack of p- SMAD2 accumulation in tumor-associated stromal cells. To enforce high TGF-beta signaling in xenografts, we engineered CRC cell lines to secrete active TGF-beta. Subcutaneous tumors obtained from HT29-M6TGF-β, KM12L4aTGF-β cells and SW48TGF-β cells contained abundant p-SMAD2+ stromal cells.