Fig. 3

F-AgNPs mediated antigen modification cooperates with CAR-T cell therapy in vitro. a Schematic illustration of action mode of TRUE-CAR-T therapy and evaluation of in vitro antitumor response. b IFN-γ secretion of EvIII CAR-T cells after 24 h incubation with tumor cells (MKN45) treated by F-AgNPs of various concentration. Data are represented as mean ± s.e.m., n = 3. Student’s t test was used for statistical analysis. ns not significant; ns not significant; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01. c Th1- and Th2-type cytokines secretion of EvIII CAR-T cells after 24 h incubation with F-AgNPs treated tumor cells. Data represent mean ± s.e.m., n = 4–5. Student’s t test was used for statistical analysis. ns not significant; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01. d The expression of CD137 and CD69 on CAR negative- and positive-subpopulation after 24 h incubation with F-AgNPs treated tumor cells. Data represent mean ± s.e.m., n = 3–4. Student’s t test was used for statistical analysis. e Evaluating cytotoxicity of EvIII CAR-T cells and control T cells (mock transfection) towards F-AgNPs treated tumor cells (MKN45) and exploring the dose–effect relationships using CFSE/PI assay. E:T = 10:1. Data are represented as mean ± s.e.m., n = 3. Student’s t test was used for statistical analysis. ns not significant; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001. f Representative confocal images of HGC27 spheroids untreated, treated with F-AgNPs, CAR-T cells and F-AgNPs + CAR-T cells. E:T = 20:1 Dead cells:EthD-1 (red); live cells: calcein AM (green). Scale bar, 250 μm. Data represent mean ± s.e.m., n = 3. A one-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001