Fig 2: CD147-CART cells show potent anti-tumor activity against NSCLC in CDX models. A Schematic representation of CDX model treatment. B BMI of mice were obtained by injection with D-Luciferin potassium salt on day 1, 8 and 13. C, D The dynamic curves of tumor volume and mouse weight were measured every two days. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (*P < 0.05, ⁎⁎P < 0.01, ns: not significant, n = 5). E A tumor formation assay was performed by injecting A549-FFluc cells into nude mice. F, G The tumor weight and tumor volume were quantified in PBS group, PBMC group, and CD147-CART group. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (*P < 0.05, ⁎⁎P < 0.01, n = 5).

Fig 3: CD147-CART cells show potent anti-tumor activity against NSCLC in PDX models. A Schematic representation of PDX model treatment. B, C The dynamic curves of tumor volume and mouse weight were measured. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (*P < 0.05, n = 3). D, E The mice appearance and tumor morphology were shown. F, G The tumor weight and tumor volume were quantified in PBMC group and CD147-CART group. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (*P < 0.05, n = 3). H The cell apoptosis in tumor tissues was evaluated using TUNEL Assay Kit; Scale bar = 200 µm. I Ki67-positive tumor cells in tumor tissues were evaluated by IHC staining; Scale bar = 100 µm. J Ki67-positive tumor cell numbers in 12 random fields (12 dots from 3 mice, 4 dots/ mouse) in each group were counted and analyzed. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (***p < 0.001, n = 12 independent experiments). K, L CD3+ T cells (k) and CD8+ T cells (l) in tumor tissues were evaluated by IHC staining; Scale bar = 100 µm.

Fig 4: Protein expression levels of CD133 and CD147 in primary OSCC tumors and normal oral mucosal tissue samples. The representative immunohistochemical analysis results show (A) CD133 and (B) CD147 expression in primary OSCC tissues and normal oral mucosal tissues (left images: × 40, scale bar, 50 µm; right images: × 20, scale bar, 100 µm).

Fig 5: Representative bisulfite sequencing results of the CpG islands in the CD24, CD133, and CD147 gene promoter regions in OSCC cell lines, primary OSCC tumors (n = 3), and normal oral mucosal tissues (n = 3). The locations of the CpG sites (CD24: upstream region from −903 to −770; CD133: exon 1 region from −230 to +90 [9]; and CD147: upstream region from −552 to −291) relative to the transcription start sites (TSSs) of exon 1 are shown. Each box represents a CpG dinucleotide. The black boxes represent methylated cytosines, and the white boxes represent unmethylated cytosines.