Fig. 3

Analysis of imDCs maturation in vitro. (A) Generation of PDT-stimulated DCs. (B) Quantification of IL-12 production in the supernatants of imDCs were measured by ELISA (n = 3). The data from various treatment groups were plotted. (C) This panel is similar to panel B that the IL-6 production was measured by ELISA (n = 3). (D) and (E) Phenotypic maturation into DCs. imDCs were exposed for 24 h to SCC7 cells that were either pre-treated with m-THPC-PDT treatment or three cycles of F/T SCC7 cells, followed by the detection of MHC-II molecules on the surface of DCs. Cells double positive for CD11c and MHC-II were analyzed. The results were obtained from three independent experiments and expressed as the mean ± SD. ^*P < 0.05,  ^**P < 0.01 vs. control, ^##P < 0.01 among the groups. DCs: dendritic cells; imDCs: immature DCs; F/T: freeze and thaw.