Figure 2. TLR7 ligation accelerates pancreatic tumorigenesis.
6-week-old p48Cre;KrasG12D mice were administered saline or the TLR7 ligand ssRNA40 for 3 weeks. (A) Paraffin-embedded sections were examined by H&E. Original magnification, ×4 (top); ×20 (bottom). Scale bars: 700 μm (top); 150 μm (bottom). (B) The fractions of various grades of PanINs and foci of invasive cancer were quantified. (C) Gimori’s trichrome was performed to assess stromal fibrosis. Original magnification, ×20. Scale bar: 150 μm. (D) CD45 staining was performed to determine leukocytic infiltration. Original magnification, ×40. Scale bar: 75 μm. (E) Ki67 expression, a marker of proliferative index, was tested, and the percentage of Ki67+ ductal cells was determined by examining 10 HPFs per pancreas. Original magnification, ×80. Scale bar: 38 μm. n = 8 per group. ***P < 0.001.