Fig. 3

exo-adipocytes promote tumor growth, enhance angiogenesis, and recruited macrophages in vivo. a Representative photographs of HepG2 tumors generated from nude mice injected with tumor cells alone or co-injected with exo-adipocytes or control adipocytes at a ratio of 10:1. b IHC staining of blood vessel density in tumor sections from xenografts by staining with anti-CD31 antibody. c CD31-positive cells were quantified, and the data represents the mean number of CD31 + cells per 200× field (three fields per group). d Detection of proliferating cells in tumors with IHC staining using the anti-Ki67 antibody. Representatives of Ki67 staining from each group are shown (magnification × 200). e Ki67 staining-positive cells were quantified, and the data represent the mean number per 200× field (three fields per group). f The macrophage infiltration was examined by detecting the number of F4/80-positive cells using immunohistochemical staining in the tumor tissues harvested. Representatives of F4/80 staining from each group are shown (magnification × 200). g F4/80 + macrophages were quantified, and the data represent the mean number of F4/80+ macrophages per 200× field (three fields per group). h Detection of IL-6 expression in tumors. i IL-6 expression was quantified, and the data represent the mean number of IL-6+ cells per 200× field (three fields per group). j A representative H&E staining of tumor sections demonstrated presence of adipocytes in mice injected with exo-adipocytes or adipocytes