Fig. 6

Immunological responses after combined chemo-PDT with H-MnO₂-PEG/C&D. a Macrophages infiltration and polarization within tumors post various treatments. CD11b⁺CD206⁺ cells were defined as M2 phenotype macrophages (six mice per group). The total number of macrophages infiltrated in tumors markedly increased post the combined chemo-PDT, which also resulted in polarization of M2 phenotype TAM towards M1 TAM. b, c The levels of IL-10 (b) and IL-12p40 (c) in the supernatant of tumors post various treatments. d, e Representative flow cytometry data of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) infiltration in tumors. CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells were defined as CTLs. f The production of IFN-γ in sera of mice post various treatments. p values were calculated by Tukey’s post-test between group 5 (H-MnO₂-PEG/C&D + L) and group 1 (untreated) (***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, or *p < 0.05) (compared with untreated). Date are presented as means ± s.d. (n = 6)