Fig. 5

RelB deprivation in mouse PCa RM-1 cells restores mouse T cell function. a RelB was knocked out in RM-1 cells using the CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing system and further PD-L1 was enforcedly expressed in RelB-deprived cells to restore the immunocompromise. The cellular levels of RelA, RelB and PD-L1 proteins in these cell lines were measured by immunoblots. b Subsequently, the NF-κB binding activities in the established cell lines were quantified. **(p < 0.01) shows significance between the two groups as indicated. c T cells derived from mouse spleen tissues were activated and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells were quantified by flow cytometry. d RM-1 cells were treated with an anti-PD-L1 mAb prior to coculture with activated T cells, and the RM-1 cell survival was measured using a clonogenic assay. The significance between the two groups as indicated on the tap. Within the same groups, *(p < 0.05), **(p < 0.01) shows significance in RelB-KO and RelB-KO/PD-L1 cells compared to control cells. e Correspondingly, the apoptosis of RM-1 cells was further analysed using flow cytometry. The significance between the two groups as indicated on the tap. Within the same groups, *(p < 0.05), **(p < 0.01) show significance in RelB-KO cells vs. the control cells, and ^#(p < 0.05) shows significance in RelB-KO/PD-L1 cells compared to control and RelB-KO cells