Fig. 3

CNH-PG-mPT suppressed tumor cell growth and increased the presence of M1-like macrophages and PD-L1 expression in the tumor tissue and these effects (but for PD-L1 induction) were significantly enhanced by BMS-1. A Tumor tissue sections showing HE staining and IHC staining of PCNA, Ki67 (markers of cell growth), and cleaved caspase 3 (marker of cell death). Staining of PCNA, Ki67 and cleaved caspase 3 appeared as dark brown spots. B Tumor tissue sections showing immunofluorescent staining of F4/80 (a marker of macrophage) and PD-L1. The PD-L1 staining showed a more extensive distribution than the F4/80 staining and partial overlapping could be observed between the PD-L1 staining and the F4/80 staining. C Tumor tissue sections showing immunofluorescent staining of F4/80 and CD86 (a marker of M1-like activation). The F4/80 staining showed a more extensive distribution than the CD86 staining and partial overlapping could be observed between the F4/80 staining and the CD86 staining. D Tumor tissue sections showing immunofluorescent staining of F4/80 and CD206 (a marker of M2-like activation). The F4/80 staining showed a more extensive distribution than the CD206 staining and partial overlapping could be observed between the F4/80 staining and the CD206 staining. The quantitative analysis results of IHC in A and IF staining in B–D are presented in Additional file 1: Fig. S2