Fig. 7
Effects of SPP1+ Macs on promoting tumor growth in vivo. A Schematic diagram showing the process for establishing the subcutaneous tumor models by coinjection of HN6 cells and NC, OE, KD, OE + VGX-1027 and OE + PDTC macrophages. Tumors were harvested 18 days after cells injection. B Tumor growth after subcutaneous coinjection of HN6 cells and macrophages. C Images of isolated tumors. D Tumor weight at 18 days post-injection with HN6 cells and NC, OE, KD, OE + VGX-1027, or OE + PDTC macrophages. E IHC analysis of SPP1, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression in the tumors from different groups. Scale bars: left: 100 μm; right: 50 μm. F Representative mIHC staining of SPP1 (red), a macrophage marker (CD68 + , green), and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β, violet) and DAPI staining (blue) in mouse tumor tissues. Scale bar, 20 μm. NC, THP-1 cell-derived SPP1-NC macrophages. OE, THP-1 cell-derived SPP1-OE macrophages. KD, THP-1 cell-derived SPP1-KD macrophages. (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; ****p < 0.0001)