Fig. 4

MMP-9 and MMP-2 are critical molecules that lead to FC rupture. A Immunohistochemical staining for COL1A1 of the ruptured FC (n = 3). B Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-9 of the ruptured FC (n = 3), where MMP-9 was abundantly aggregated in the ruptured area of FC (n = 3). C Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-2 of the ruptured FC (n = 3), MMP-2 was abundantly aggregated in the ruptured area of FC. D Immunohistochemical staining for COL1A1 of the intact FC (n = 3). E Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-9 of the intact FC (n = 3). F Immunohistochemical staining for MMP-2 of the intact FC (n = 3). G The expression of MMP-9 in the ruptured FC area was found to be significantly higher than that in the intact FC area (P = 0.0196). H MMP-2 expression in the ruptured FC area was observed to be significantly higher than that in the intact FC area (P = 0.0453). I The expression of MMP-9 in the ruptured FC area was higher in ruptured FC patients than in their RIFC area (P = 0.0059). J The expression of MMP-2 in the ruptured FC area was higher in the ruptured FC patients than in their RIFC area (P = 0.0481). K The protein expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 and ACTIN in the RFC and RIFC areas. L MMP-9 protein levels in the RFC area were significantly higher as compared to the RIFC area (n = 7) (P = 0.0222). M MMP-2 protein levels in the RFC area were significantly higher as compared to the RIFC area (n = 7) (P = 0.0165). N The gene expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 and ACTIN in the RFC and RIFC areas. O The mRNA expression level of MMP-9 in the RFC area was significantly higher than that in the RIFC area (n = 7) (P = 0.0453). P The mRNA expression level of MMP-2 in the RFC area was significantly higher than that in the RIFC area (n = 7) (P = 0.0226). HCC tumor tissues are indicated by T and the paracancerous liver tissues are indicated by N. The red line adjacent to the cancerous tissue is FC; the red arrow indicates the FC ruptured area whose direction is the direction of tumor cells breaking through the ruptured area of FC to invade the paracancerous liver tissue; RFC indicates the ruptured fibrous capsule; IFC indicates the intact fibrous capsule; RIFC indicates the relative intact fibrous capsule