*2.9. IHC Staining*

After depara ffinization, antigen retrieval, and blocking of peroxidase activity, the tissue sections were incubated with anti-Ki-67 antibody (1:200; Abcam, Cambridge, UK), anti-caspase-3 antibody (1:100; Cell Signaling), and anti-p62 antibody (1:100; Cell Signaling) at 4 ◦C overnight, separately. Slides were further incubated for 30 min with Super Enhance and polymer HRP. The bound antibody was elected by a species-specific secondary antibody and then developed with a 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole (AEC) substrate. Images for IHC staining were captured with an EVOS ® microscope (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA).
