Beneficial impact of cathelicidin on hypersensitivity pneumonitis treatment—In vivo studies
Fig 4
Changes in the morphology of lung tissue of mice exposed to cathelicidin (CRAMP) and/or Saline Extract of Pantoea Agglomerans (SE-PA).
Lungs collected from untreated mice and animals exposed to investigated compounds for 14, 28 or 42 days were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), as well as Masson trichrome dyes (TRI), and examined under light microscopy at magnification 200×. Each research group contained 8 mice: 6 treated and 2 untreated animals. Samples were collected from all animals and analyzed. (control mice N = 16; treated mice per research group N = 6). A) Representative photographs of mouse lung sections stained with H&E. B) Representative photographs of mouse lung sections stained with TRI. C) Quantification of inflammation and fibrosis in collected mouse lung tissue after H&E and TRI staining. The histological scores were graded with 4 point scales: 0 = regular tissue, 1 = mild changes, 2 = moderate changes, 3 = significant changes. The data for histologic scores for 2 independent investigations are given as mean ± SEM of investigated items. * p < 0.05 vs. untreated; # p < 0.05 SE-PA+CRAMP 14 d./28 d. vs. SE-PA 14 d./28 d. (comparison within corresponding time points); $ p < 0.05 SE-PA 28 d. + CRAMP 14 d. vs. SE-PA 28 d. + untreated 14 d.; one-way ANOVA test; Tuckey post-hoc test.