Figure 6: NK cell emperipolesis is mediated by HSCs in a TGF-β dependent manner. | Scientific Reports

Figure 6: NK cell emperipolesis is mediated by HSCs in a TGF-β dependent manner.

From: Activated hepatic stellate cells impair NK cell anti-fibrosis capacity through a TGF-β-dependent emperipolesis in HBV cirrhotic patients

Figure 6

(a) Representative Giemsa staining indicating the emperipoletic cell-in-cell structures formed between LX-2 cells and purified NK cells from HC, CHB and LC subjects. Internalized NK cells in the cytoplasm of HSCs formed a heterotypic cell-in-cell structure (gated by red dashed ovals), leading to multinucleation of HSCs (black arrow). (b) Pooled data showing the ratio of emperipoletic NK cells by HSCs in the three enrolled groups. Each dot represents one individual. The horizontal lines indicate the mean values. P-values shown in the figures are based on two-tailed, unpaired Student’s t-test. (c) The internalized NK cells by HSCs appear apoptotic under immunofluorescence staining. NK cells from LC patients were pre-stained with CellTracker Orange CMTMR and then co-cultured with LX2 cells, before being subjected to TUNEL staining. CellTracker Orange CMTMR showed the NK/HSC cytoplasm. DAPI stained the nuclei; x630 magnification. (d) Pooled data showing the ratio of emperipoletic NK cells by HSCs in the presence of TGF-β or isotype IgG antibody. Each dot represents one individual. P-values shown in the figures are based on two-tailed, paired Student’s t-test.

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