Fig. 4

Epithelial and mesenchymal gene expression properties differ among BC groups. (A) normalized RNA count (nRNAc) and (B) relative protein levels (rPL) of the intermediate filament gene vimentin (VIM), the epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM), and the stem cell gene transcription termination factor (NKX2-1) between BCs from the different groups (normalized to b-actin; ACTB). Violin plots are shown (n ≥ 3). (C) Representative immunoblots depicting protein expression within the BC groups. Note the presence of multiple VIM bands in cells from smokers and cases (LUAD, LUSC). (D) Representative micrographs of cells harvested, cultured, and prepared for immunofluorescence demonstrating abnormal cytoplasmic NKX2-1 expression in smokers and the presence of nuclear EpCAM expression in LUAD BCs. Distinct labeling patterns between individual cells of the same group may emphasize populational diversity. From left to right; DAPI nuclear counterstain (grey), VIM (green), EpCAM (red), NKX2-1 (blue) and merge. Passage 2 never-smokers (Never), smokers, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) cells were tested. (n ≥ 3)