Fig. 4

Evaluation of tumor cell apoptosis in nude mice by TUNEL staining (×400). The induction of apoptosis was measured by the TdT-mediated dUPT nick end labeling staining method. Apoptosis was more prevalent in the IL-12 + BMSC, FYD and FYD + IL-12 + BMSC groups compared with the corresponding percentages noted in the model group. The FYD + IL-12 + BMSC group exhibited a higher proportion of apoptotic cells demonstrating dark-brown nuclear staining, which also exhibited a withered appearance; for comparison, the nuclei of the non-apoptotic cells were counterstained blue with hematoxylin, as shown in a and b. n = 5, The relative number of the apoptosis-positive cells was higher in the IL-12 + BMSC, FYD, and FYD + IL-12 + BMSC groups compared with that of the model group (P < 0.05). TUNEL, TdT-mediated dUPT nick end labeling; BMSCs, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; IL-12 + BMSC, IL12-lentiviral-transfected BMSC; BMSC group, empty lentiviral vector-transfected BMSC group; FYD, FuzhengYiliu decoction; FYD + IL-12 + BMSC group, FYD treatment in IL-12 lentiviral-transfected BMSC group