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Fig. 3 | BMC Cancer

Fig. 3

From: Sepsis increases perioperative metastases in a murine model

Fig. 3

Sepsis increases metastatic disease burden. a Experimental overview. BALB/c mice were injected intravenously (IV) through the tail vein with 3 × 105 CT26lacZ cells. One hour later, surgical stress (Sx) was generated by laparatomy (Lap) or laparatomy with caecal puncture (Lap + CP). The caecum was externalized and punctured using an 18G needle (as shown). Mice were sacrificed at 72 h to quantify lung metastases. b Detection of bacteria in the peritoneal cavity. A representative Gram stain of peritoneal lavage fluid from a mouse that underwent Lap + CP indicates polymicrobial sepsis due to the presence of both cocci and bacilli. c Sepsis increases lung metastases. Lung metastases were quantified in mice that did not undergo surgical stress (No Sx, n = 13), laparotomy alone (Lap, n = 10), or laparotomy combined with sepsis (Lap + Sepsis, n = 19). d Intraoperative sepsis impairs NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Chromium release killing assay of YAC-1 tumour target cells by DX5+ NK cells isolated from animals that did not undergo surgical stress (No Sx), laparotomy alone (Lap) in the presence or absence of sepsis (Lap + Sepsis). Effector (DX5+ NK cells) to target (Yac1) (E:T) ratios of 6:1, 25:1, and 50:1 are shown (n = 3 for each treatment group and each E:T ratio). Error bars represent ± SEM

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