CD163 and hepatocellular carcinoma: RT-qPCR results indicated a significant upregulation in the expression of M2 macrophage markers (MRC1, CD163) within HCC-conditioned TAMs, while the expression levels of M1 markers (CD86, iNOS) remained unchanged, suggesting a skew towards M2 polarization in the tumor microenvironment (Figures 6(d), 6(e), and 6(f)).