Fig. 3

Impact of endogenous mouse NK cells on post-chemotherapy recurrence of mesenchymal glioma stem cell xenografts. (A) Endogenous NK cell proficiency of SCID mice supports eradication of mesenchymal glioma stem cell (GSC1123) - driven subcutaneous xenografts by single dose of temozolomide (TMZ; 120 mg/kg); data expressed as mean +/- SD; (B) Endogenous NK cell deficiency of NSG mice is associated with post-TMZ relapse of GSC1123 subcutaneous xenografts (mean +/- SD); (C) Purified mouse NK cells efficiently kill GSC1123 mesenchymal glioma stem cells in vitro in a time dependent manner (BLI assay with readings conducted at 5 h and 22 h post NK treatment; mean value +/- SEM); (D) Experimental design to explore the effects of pharmacological NK inhibition (Asialo-GM1) on progression of mesenchymal GSC subcutaneous xenografts post TMZ-mediated tumour depopulation; (E) Asialo-GM1 treatment aborts TMZ-mediated GSC1123 tumour eradication in NK-proficient SCID mice– bioluminescent images; (F) Inhibition of endogenous NK cell cytotoxicity (Asialo-GM1) counteracts pro-survival effects of TMZ in NK-proficient SCID mice. Error is represented by SEM