Fig. 6

STAT3/ARG1 signaling is up-regulated in suppressive monocytes. a p-STAT3 detection in suppressive (n = 4) and non-suppressive (n = 4) PDAC patients’ monocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA test. b Functional assay performed (at 1:3 ratio of PBMCs:CD14⁺ cells) on suppressive (n = 6) and non-suppressive (n = 6) monocytes of PDAC patients. CD14⁺ cells were treated with Stattic (5 μM) or DMSO for 30 min and, after the treatment, cells were washed three times and plated with T cells. Data are reported as percentage of CD3⁺ proliferating cells in three independent experiments. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA test. c ARG1 detection in suppressive (n = 4) and non-suppressive (n = 4) purified PDAC patients’ monocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry. As control, ARG1 expression in purified monocytes isolated from HDs is shown (n = 5). Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA test. d Representative images of sorted, not suppressive or suppressive CD14⁺ cells obtained from patients with PDAC, stained for DNA (DAPI), ARG1 (green) and CD14 (red). BF = bright field. e Quantification of cell size by confocal microscopic analysis. Data shown 13 independent measures of each donors (N = 4). Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA test