Gram-negative bacteria and endotoxins promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression through the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Figure 4 An impaired intestinal mucosal barrier renders the liver susceptible to exposure to gut microbiota and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma growth. A: Occludin relative expression in ileum in control (Ctrl) and CCL₄ groups; B: Interleukin-1β and interleukin-17 mRNA expression in ileum in Ctrl and CCL₄ groups (n = 5 for each group); C: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues from Ctr and CCL₄ mice were homogenized and cultured on a BHI medium without antibiotics. The clone formation units were calculated; D: The flow cytometry-based proportional changes of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells and polymorphonuclear-myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) between Ctrl and CCl₄ groups; E: The Ly6C relative expression in TME in Ctrl and CCL₄ groups; F: Establishment of murine HCC models and monitoring tumor growth; G: Weekly in vivo imaging was performed to monitor tumor growth in Ctrl and CCL₄ groups; H: Following the schematic diagram of animal interventions, tumor size and liver weight changes were compared between the Ctrl and CCl4 groups post-intervention. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01; ^bP < 0.001; ^cP < 0.0001; NS: Not significant. IL: Interleukin; CFU: Clone formation unit; PMN: Polymorphonuclear; MDSC: Myeloid-derived suppressor cell; MMDSC: Monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell; Ctrl: Control.