Fig. 4.

M2-CM activated the TLR4/STAT3 pathway in HCC cells. a Levels of p-STAT3 and total STAT3 in the M2-CM and control groups were analyzed using western blotting. b TLR4 overexpression increased the p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio in M2-CM-treated HCC cells. Level of p-STAT3 and total STAT3 in the control, M2-CM + LPS, and M2-CM groups. c LPS alone did not significantly increase p-STAT3 levels in HCC cells. Levels of the p-STAT3 and STAT3 proteins in the control, LPS, and M2-CM + LPS groups. d The TLR4 neutralizing antibody inhibited the M2-CM-induced increase in the p-STAT3/STAT3 ratio in HCC cells. Levels of p-STAT3 and total STAT3 were analyzed using western blotting