Figure 6.

Blocking the IL-6R-STAT3 signaling by ligustilide involved in HCC cell co-culture-induced macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization evoked by IL-6 release. (a and b) After co-culture with HCC cells treated with ligustilide, the protein levels of IL-6R, p-STAT3, and STAT3 were analyzed. (c and d) After transfection with si-IL-6R, the activation of IL-6R/STAT3 signaling was detected. (e to i) Macrophages transected with si-IL6R were co-cultured with HCC cells exposed to IL-6 conditions. Afterward, cell migration (e), % of CD14+CD206+ cells (f), transcripts of CD206, Arg1, CCL22, CD163 (g), and the transcripts (h) and release (i) of IL-10 were monitored. ^*P < 0.05 vs. CC group. ^§P < 0.05 vs. CC and IL-6 treated group.