Fig. 8: In vivo ICD and related tumor immune responses mediated by complex 4.

a After intravenous injection, complex 4 accumulates passively at the tumor site, inducing tumor cell apoptosis combined with chemotherapy and PDT. The apoptosis process promotes the release of DAMPs and stimulates the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), thereby initiating T cell activation and the immune response. b Immunofluorescence staining for calreticulin (pink) and Foxp3+ T cells (pink) in tumor sections post-treatment. Scale bar = 200 μm. c Flow cytometry plots showing CD80+ and CD86+ dendritic cells (gated on CD11c+) in the spleen. d Representative immunofluorescence images of CD4+ T cells (pink) and CD8+ T cells (pink) in spleen slices after various treatments. Scale bar = 100 μm. e Flow cytometry plots for CD3+ and CD4+ T cells (gated on CD45+) in the spleen. f Flow cytometry plots for CD3+ and CD8+ T cells (gated on CD45+) in the spleen. (L: Light). n = 3 independent samples per group. Representative images from three biologically independent samples are shown.