Fig. 4

MICAL2 enhances stem cell-like properties and tumor formation in cervical cancer cells. A The impact of MICAL2 knockdown on stemness assessed using a spheroid formation assay. Cells with MICAL2 knockdown produced significantly smaller spheroids compared to controls, indicating a reduced spheroidization capability. B WB analysis employed to assess the expression levels of stemness-related proteins CD44, CD133, and Nanog in Hela and Siha cells following MICAL2 knockdown. C Stable overexpression of MICAL2 in Siha cells verified by WB after transfection with either a non-specific control LacZ plasmid or a MICAL2 overexpressing plasmid (OE). D, E The stemness of Siha cells transfected with the MICAL2 overexpressing plasmid assessed by spheroid formation assay and WB analysis of stemness-related proteins (CD44, CD133, and Nanog). F Tumor cells from the LacZ control group and the MICAL2 overexpression group implanted into the right axilla of female nude mice. Xenografts were collected 15 days post-implantation, and images of the tumor tissues from both groups were captured. G Volume and weight of xenografts in nude mice (n = 8) measured and compared. H, I WB and immunohistochemical analysis performed to detect the expression of key proteins Ki67, CD133, and P110α in the xenografts. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. Statistical significance is indicated as *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001 compared to the control group