Fig. 4: F. nucleatum and chemotherapy resistance in ESCC cells.

a Proliferation assay in TE8 and TE10 cells with or without F. nucleatum treated with 5-FU, CDDP, and Docetaxel. Statistical significance is denoted by *P < 0.05. b Apoptosis assay using Annexin V green at 12 h with or without F. nucleatum under 5-FU, CDDP, and Docetaxel treatment in TE8 and TE10 cells. The total green object area indicates the apoptosis index. Statistical significance is denoted by **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001. c Western blot analysis to check the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in TE8 and TE10 cells upon treatment with 5-FU, CDDP, and Docetaxel in the presence or absence of F. nucleatum. Statistical significance is denoted by *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.