Fig. 7

HIG2 gene promotes the evasion of HCC cells from killing by NK cells through upregulation of IL-10 expression. a IL-10 protein expression in HCC tissues or tumor-adjacent tissues, as determined by immunohistochemistry. b and c IL-10 mRNA expression or secreted IL-10 protein in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells transfected with siR-HIG2 or siR-NC, as determined by qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. *P < 0.05 compared with the siR-NC group of the same cell type. d Apoptotic rates of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells in the siR-NC, siR-HIG2, and siR-HIG2 + IL-10 groups. *P < 0.05 compared with the siR-NC group; #P < 0.05 compared with the siR-HIG2 + IL-10 group. e Proportion of NK cells with positive expression of NKp30 and NKG2D receptors after treatment with IL-10. *P < 0.05 compared with the NC group. f Proportion of NK cells with positive expression of CD16, GZMB, or TNF-α after treatment with IL-10