2.4. Mouse xenograft tumor model experiments

In total, 30 female BALB/c nude mice (5 weeks old) were purchased from Beijing Vital River Laboratory Animal Technology Co., Ltd. All animal experiments were carried out in accordance with protocols approved by the Laboratory Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee of the Third Military Medical University (AMUWEC20191778).

A human CRC xenograft model system was established by infecting HCT‐116 cells with F. nucleatum (MOI = 10) for 24 h following treatment with a micrOFF mmu‐miR‐4717‐3p antagomir (RiboBio). These cells were then subcutaneously injected deep within the left and right dorsal flanks of BALB/c nude mice (n = 5/group). These animals were housed under specific pathogen‐free conditions with free access to sterilized water and food. At 3 weeks postimplantation, animals were killed and tumor weight was calculated. Tumors were then subjected to Ki‐67 staining.