Fig. 3

CIH promoted CSC-like properties in NSCLC cells. a Microscopic observation of NSCLC cells. A549 and SPCA1 spheroids were obtained and then cultured under Nor or CIH conditions for 24 h. b qRCP analyses in triplicate of CD44, Sox2, Nanog, Oct4, and CD133 in NSCLC cells. Adherent A549 and SPCA1 were treated with 24 h-Nor or CIH exposure. GADPH expression served as an internal control. c Flow cytometry analyses of the percentage of CD44⁺CD133⁺ cells in A549 or SPCA1 populations. Error bars represent the mean ± SEM of at least triplicate experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. CIH chronic intermittent hypoxia, CSC cancer stem cell