Fig. 2

Hepcidin/FPN1 and TFR1/FT phenotype dyads in breast tissue. A semi-quantitative method of assessing the immunoexpression in the TMA sections was applied by multiplying the area and intensity staining scores, as described in materials and methods. The scores ranged from 0 to 15. Graphs show Mean ± SEM. Significant differences are shown for comparison with the precedent group *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, Mann Whitney’s U test; a Immunoexpression score for breast epithelial cells in control normal samples, DCIS (ductal carcinomas in situ) and IDC (invasive ductal carcinomas) for hepcidin (n = 121), FPN1 (Ferroportin 1, n = 113), TFR1 (Transferrin Receptor 1, n = 119) and FT (Ferritin, n = 119); b Immunoexpression score for macrophages in control normal samples, DCIS (ductal carcinomas in situ) and IDC (invasive ductal carcinomas) for Hepcidin (n = 75), FPN1 (Ferroportin 1, n = 62), TFR1 (Transferrin Receptor 1, n = 73) and FT (Ferritin, n = 91); c Immunoexpression score for lymphocytes in control normal samples, DCIS (ductal carcinomas in situ) and IDC (invasive ductal carcinomas) for Hepcidin (n = 77), FPN1 (Ferroportin 1, n = 70), TFR1 (Transferrin Receptor 1, n = 73) and FT (Ferritin, n = 91)