The Expression of NOX4 in Smooth Muscles of Small Airway Correlates with the Disease Severity of COPD

Figure 4

The expression of extracellular matrix markers in ASM of COPD lungs. (a)-(b) The expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) marker laminin in ASM determined by an IHC assay. (a)-(b) Representative IHC images of laminin staining for small airway of control (a) and severe COPD (b) lungs showed a more abundant laminin (arrow) in ASM of lung from severe COPD. (c) The expressions of indicated ECM markers laminin (LN), collagen I (Col I), collagen IV (Col IV), and fibronectin (FN) in ASM of control lungs () and COPD lungs () were semiquantified on IHC slides by average optic density (AOD). The data showed a significantly elevated expression of laminin, but not collagen I; collagen IV and fibronectin were observed in ASM of COPD small airway. Data was presented as the mean ± SD in (c). Compared with the control group, in (c). Bars in (a) and (b): 100 μm; brackets in (a) and (b) represented the ASM layers.

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