Fig. 3

CD73-positive (CD73+) fractions possesses CSC characteristics. a Sphere-forming capacities of CD73+ and CD73- fractions purified from HCC cell lines. b Sphere-forming capacities of CD73+ and CD73− fractions purified from clinical HCC samples. c mRNA and protein expression levels of indicated stemness-associated genes in CD73+ and CD73− fractions purified from HCC cell lines. d mRNA and protein expression levels of indicated stemness-associated genes in CD73+ and CD73− fractions purified from clinical HCC samples. e Upon culture in serum-containing environment for 7 days, MACS-sorted CD73+ HCC cells gradually reconstitute the original proportion of CD73+ cells, whereas CD73− cells failed to give rise to the original heterogeneity of CD73 expression. f Differences of Lenvatinib resistance capacities between CD73+ and CD73− fractions sorted from HCC cell lines were assessed by colony formation assays. Typical images were shown as left panel. g Ratio of tumor-free mice after 12 weeks’ tumor formation after injection of indicated numbers of CD73+ and CD73− Hep3B cells. Images were shown in the left panel. h Effects of CD73 knockdown on stemness-associated gene expression in CD73+ HCC cells were evaluated by WB assays. i Effects of CD73 knockdown on sphere-forming capacities in CD73+ HCC cells. Typical images were shown as upper panel. j Effects of CD73 knockdown on Lenvatinib resistance in CD73+ HCC cells were evaluated by colony formation assays. Throughout the figure, “*” indicated P < 0.05, “**” indicated P < 0.01, and “***” indicated P < 0.001 by two-tailed t test or Mann–Whitney test