Fig. 6

IRF4 overexpression promoted the transdifferentiation of Tregs into macrophage-like cells by inhibiting BCL6 expression. Tregs were transfected with LV-IRF4 or LV-ctrl. Normal Tregs served as control. QRT-PCR (a) and WB (b) were performed to assess the gene and protein expression of BCL6 in the modified Tregs. c The interaction between IRF4 and BCL6 promoter was verified by ChIP. Tregs were transfected with LV-IRF4, LV-BCL6 or LV-ctrl. LV-IRF4 and LV-BCL6 were co-transfected into Tregs. Normal Tregs served as control. d The proportions of macrophages in the modified Tregs were detected by flow cytometry. e The phagocytosis assay was performed to assess the phagocytosis of the modified Tregs. The phagocytosis positive cells were marked by arrows. (**P < 0.01, versus LV-ctrl; ^##P < 0.01, versus LV-BCL6)