Fig. 8.

Matrix stiffness-dependent STEAP3 mediate immunogulator PD-L2 expression in HCC. A The expression profiles of differential immune checkpoint genes in HCC and normal liver tissues. B The mRNA expression level of PD-L2, CTLA4, HAVCR2, PDCD1, TIGIT, Sigleci-15 in HCCLM3 and HepG2 cells on different stiff PVA gels (2 and 40 kPa). C Representative immunofluorescence images showing the expression level of PD-L1 and PD-L2 in normal liver tissue and cirrhosis tissue of SD rat. D Representative immunofluorescence images showing the expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 in TC and IF region of cirrhotic HCC specimens. E Fluorescence statistical results showing the expression level of PD-L1 and PD-L2 in IF and TC region. F, G The mRNA expression level of PD-L1 and PD-L2 in STEAP3-overexpressed HCCLM3 and HepG2 cells on a stiff matrix gel (40 kPa). All data were presented as mean ± SEM, N ≥ 3. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01