Figure 3

The effect of pretreatment with sTGF-βR on AB12 tumor growth in CD8⁺T cell-depleted animals. In all graphs, tumor volume was calculated by the formula (π*long axis*short axis*short axis)/6 and displayed as mean volume (mm³). Error bars represent standard error of the mean (SEM). (A). Intact, non CD8⁺ T cell-depleted animals. Two days before tumor cell-inoculation and once every 3 days thereafter (for a total of 3 doses), groups of mice (n=5) received IP injections of IgG2a (control) or sTGF-βR (TGF-β-blockade). Tumor volume at 17 days post tumor cell-inoculation is shown. Tumors in mice pretreated with sTGF-βR were significantly larger than tumors in control animals pretreated with IgG2a (* = p < 0.05). (B). CD8⁺ T cell-depleted animals. Two days before tumor cell-inoculation and once every 3 days thereafter (for a total of 3 doses), groups of CD8⁺ T cell-depleted mice (n=5) received IP injections of IgG2a (control) or sTGF-βR. Tumor volume at 17 days post-tumor cell inoculation is shown. Depletion of CD8⁺ T cells resulted in larger absolute tumors in both groups. No significant difference in tumor size was evident between tumors of control animals pretreated with IgG2a and animals pretreated with sTGF-βR (NS = p > 0.05).