Fig. 3: Inhibiting MFAP5^highCAFs remodels the immunosuppressive microenvironment in vivo.

A Schematic procedures of xenograft models built with stable transfected CAFs and PDAC cells co-injected into the pancreas of either nude or C57BL/6 mice. B, C Images and statistical results of tumor weight of isolated tumors derived fromKPC+CAFs after mice were sacrificed at day 28. A total of 15 mice were analyzed (5 mice for each group individually). D Histograms showing markers indicating CAF activation (α-SMA and Collagen I), tumor proliferation (Ki67), angiogenesis (CD31) in IHC staining in Fig. S4D. E Survival curves of mice in nude mice (p = 0.1068) bearing KPC xenograft tumors. A total of 20 mice were included (10 mice for each group individually). F, G Images and statistical results of tumor weight of isolated tumors derived from KPC + ImdyCAFs after mice were sacrificed at day 28. H–K Flow cytometry analysis of CD8 (PE-Cy7), Perforin (PE), Granzyme B (Pc5.5), Foxp3 (Texas Red) and tumoral PD-L1 (PE-Cy7) in tumors derived from C57BL/6 mice. The top arrow indicates the upper gate logic. A total of 10 mice were analyzed (5 mice for each group individually). L Representative IHC staining images and statistical analysis (below) of functional infiltrating CD8 + T cells (Granzyme B+) and immunosuppressive cells (Foxp3+Tregs and Ly6G+ myeloid cells). Arrows indicate representative staining. Scale bar: 50 μm (M) Survival curves of mice in C57BL/6 mice (p = 0.1068) bearing KPC xenograft tumors. A total of 20 mice were included (10 mice for each group individually). The data were analyzed by a two‐tailed unpaired Student’s t‐test (C, D, G, H, L). Error bars, means ± SD of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ns not significant.