Fig 2: TCEB2 knockdown inhibited TNBC-induced M2 macrophage polarization in vivo. The tumor implantation experiment was performed. (A-C) The size, volume, and weight of tumors were measured. (D) TCEB2 and Slit2 protein levels in tumor tissues were examined by western blot. (E) Ki67, CD80, and CD163 protein levels in tumor tissues were measured by IHC. (F) qRT-PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of iNOS, IL-23, IL-1β, Arg1, VEGF, and IL-10 in tumor tissues. The measurement data were presented as mean ± SD. N = 5. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.

Fig 3: Macrophage-secreted IL-6 enhances lipid synthesis via FASN regulation. (A) The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL10 and TNF-α in conditioned media from PBS- or LPS-treated macrophages were detected via ELISA. (B) Western blot and quantification of FASN protein expression in HCT-8 cells treated with neutralizing antibodies against the indicated cytokines. (C) Lipid accumulation in HCT-8 cells treated with blank, CM, CM with IgG or MP with an IL-6 neutralizing antibody was analyzed via Oil red O staining. Scale bar, 10 μm. (D and E) Tumor growth (D) and tumor weight (E) of CT26 cells in C57BL/6 mice following the administration of PBS or IL-6 (100 ng/mL) were measured every 3 days. (F and G) FASN expression in CT26 tumors treated with PBS or IL-6 (100 ng/mL) was measured via western blotting. (H and I) Quantification of TG (H) and FFA (I) levels in CT26 tumors treated with PBS or IL-6 (100 ng/mL). (J) The viability of HCT-8 cells was measured via a CCK8 assay. Cells infected with control shRNA or FASN shRNA were treated with IL-6, CM or CM/anti-IL6. (K) Lipid accumulation in HCT-8 cells was analyzed via Oil red O staining. Scale bar, 10 μm. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. CM, macrophage-conditioned medium; Ab, neutralizing antibody; Ctrl, control