Fig. 4

Presumptive macrophages may contribute to precancerous and cancer microenvironmental phenotypes.

Human orthologues for zebrafish genes are shown. Gene expression data reflects comparisons of precancerous versus control, cancer versus control, and cancer versus precancerous cellular microenvironments (ME). Numerical values in panels D–G show adjusted p-values for the comparisons and color shading indicates log₂ fold change (FC) values. A Identification of predominant inflammatory cell type in zebrafish ONP cancers as defined by lcp1 expression (presumptive macrophages) and mpx1 expression (neutrophils). B Lcp1-expressing presumptive macrophages (purple chromogen) are abundant and predominantly localize to peripheral margins and invasive edges. C Mpx1-expressing neutrophils (purple chromogen) are present in low numbers. D Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression profile. E Cathepsin (CTS) gene expression profile. F Interleukin and chemokine gene expression profile. G Expression of known markers for mammalian M1 and M2 phenotypes. Gene names in bold have been identified previously as M1 and M2 markers in zebrafish [34, 36]. H Proportions of differentially expressed M1 and M2 signature genes [37]. I Proportions of genes identified in panel (H) that were significantly up- or downregulated.