Impact of STAT-signaling pathway on cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer and its role in immunosuppression

Figure 2 Immunohistochemistry detection of alpha-smooth muscle actin and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in representative images of colorectal cancer. A: Cytoplasmic expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in stromal cells; B: Diffuse expression of activated smooth muscle actin and the transcription signaling pathway 3 (STAT3) in the nuclei of both glandular and stromal neoplastic cells. Black arrows (α-SMA-positive stroma), orange arrows (STAT3-positive tumor and stroma). Magnification 20 ×. Scale bars: 200 μm.