Fig. 5

IL-6 regulates CAFs and their subtype alterations to promote tumor growth. A Representative flow cytometry images of iCAFs (CD45⁻CD90⁺Ly6C⁺MHCII⁻), myCAFs (CD45⁻CD90⁺Ly6C⁻MHCII⁻) and apCAFs (CD45⁻CD90⁺Ly6C⁻MHCII⁺) in MPE mice tumor nodules. The percentage of B iCAFs, C myCAFs and D apCAFs in mice tumor nodules were quantified by flow cytometry. E Representative images of multiplex immunofluorescence of iCAFs (marked by PDGFRα and IL-6) in MPE mice tumor nodules. Scale bar = 100 µm. All experiments were performed with ≥ 3 biological replicates. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ns: not statistically significant. Ly6C, lymphocyte antigen 6 family member C; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; FAP, fibroblast activation protein-α; α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin; PDGFRα, platelet derived growth factor receptor α; iCAF, inflammatory CAF; myCAF, myofibroblastic CAF; apCAF, antigen-presenting CAF