Profiling NFκB and VEGF Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Lung Cancer Cells, and Fibroblasts

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with lung cancer ranked among the most lethal malignancies. A key hallmark of cancer progression is neovascularization, primarily mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. In parallel, the transcription factor nuclear factor of kappa B (NFκB) plays a critical role in inflammation, immune regulation, and tumor development by modifying numerous signaling pathways. In this study, we aimed to compare the expression levels of VEGF and NFκB in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), fibroblasts, and lung cancer cells (LCCs) to probe cell-type-specific regulatory profiles. Protein levels were evaluated using immunofluorescence staining and quantified by corrected total cell fluorescence (CTCF), while mRNA expression was analyzed to relate protein-level findings. Our results showed no significant difference in NFκB protein expression among the 3-cell types. In contrast, VEGF protein expression was significantly higher in fibroblasts and lung cancer cells compared with embryonic stem cells. These findings propose that while NFκB may play a stable regulatory role across cell types, VEGF exhibits a dynamic expression pattern linked with angiogenic potential and cellular differentiation status.