Figure 3

CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs increased in the peripheral blood of COPD by SFC therapy. Flow cytometry analysis of Foxp3⁺Tregs in COPD patients before and after SFC treatment. (A) Lymphocytes (R1) were identified based on their characteristic properties shown in the forward scatter (FSC) and sideward scatter (SSC). (B) A representative gating was set for CD4⁺ T cells from blood lymphocytes (R2). (C) A representative dot plots showing expression of CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs in blood CD4⁺ T cells of COPD before SFC therapy (Baseline). (D) In COPD after SFC therapy, a representative dot plots showing expression of CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs in blood CD4⁺ T cells. (E) In healthy controls, a representative dot plots showing expression of CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs in blood CD4⁺ T cells. (F) Comparison with the percentages of CD25⁺Foxp3⁺Tregs (Foxp3⁺Tregs) in COPD blood before and after SFC treatment by histogram. p < 0.001, compared with that in COPD patients before SFC therapy. p < 0.01, compared with that in healthy controls.