Figure 4

Correlation of mRNA levels of STAT1, STAT1 target genes and lymphocytes and macrophage-specific genes. mRNA expression levels determined by quantitative RT-PCR in primary tumors of cohort A were compared in the correlation. IRF1, a transcription factor proposed as a mediator of the anti-tumor action of STAT1; SOCS1, a feed back inhibitor of STAT1 signaling; the antiviral proteins IFIT1, IFITM1 and MX1; and the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 involved in the recruitment of immune cells, in particular T cells, are encoded by STAT1 target genes. CD45 is a pan-leukocyte marker highly expressed in lymphocytes. FOXP3, PD-1 are predominantly expressed in T cells. IFN-γ is expressed by activated T cells, by NK cells, NK T cells and professional antigen presenting cells. PD-L1 is induced by IFN-γ in different cell types including macrophages. PD-L2 is specifically expressed in macrophages and dendritic cells. CD68 and CD163 represent markers for macrophages. (A) Correlation matrix. (B) Correlation with STAT1 IHC staining scores in tumor epithelium and stroma. Correlation coefficients (R) and significance levels (p) were determined by Pearson’s correlation and are represented by color coding.