Fig. 4.

In vivo HMME/R837@Lip-augmented SDT for inducing cell apoptosis and/or necrosis, promoting DC maturation and stimulating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. a Schematic illustration of the experiment design to assess the in vivo sonotoxicity and the immune responses as triggered by HMME/R837@Lip-augmented SDT; b, c in vivo apoptosis and/or necrosis of the tumour induced by HMME/R837@Lip-augmented SDT, as shown by H&E staining (scale bar = 100 μm) and TUNEL assay (scale bar = 50 μm); d, e DC maturation in the tumour-draining lymph nodes induced by HMME/R837@Lip-augmented SDT on mice bearing 4T1 tumours, as assessed by flow cytometry after staining with CD11c, CD80, CD86 and live dead; f–h cytokine levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12p70 in sera from mice isolated from 24 to 72 h after HMME/R837@Lip-agumented SDT treatment. Data are expressed as means ± SD (n = 3). Statistical significances were calculated via Student’s t test, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01