Fig. 5.

NLRP7 promotes CCL2 expression and TAM polarization. a Number of altered transcripts detected in CRC cells with either NLRP7 overexpression or knockdown. b qRT-PCR verification of transcription of four cytokines/chemokines, including CCL2, TNFSF13, CXCL8, and TNFSF15, in CRC cells with NLRP7 overexpression or knockdown. c ELISA confirmed CCL2 secretion levels in CRC cells with NLRP7 overexpression or knockdown. d Macrophages detected by immunohistostaining of the xenograft tumor tissues from NLRP7 knockdown and control groups (magnification: × 600). Scale bars, 50 μm. e Expression levels of M2-like macrophage marker changes after treatment with culture medium from NLRP7 overexpressing or knockdown CRC cells. f Flow cytometry was used to evaluate CD68(+)/CD206(+) and CD68(+)/CD86(+) subpopulations. ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01, and *P < 0.05. NS: no significance