Figure 3
From: Myofibroblast expression in airways and alveoli is affected by smoking and COPD
The immunohistochemical characterization of bronchioles. Image 3A represents a bronchiole with less than 5 α-SMA positive spindle-shaped cells (arrow) within the subepithelial area. The smooth muscle cell layer (asterisk) and small vessels (black arrowhead) were excluded. Images 3B and 3C reveal that bronchioles were always negative for Tn-C and EDA-Fn (arrows). 3D shows a small airway with intensive vimentin positivity (arrows). 3E shows desmin positive smooth muscle cells (asterisks) and negative cells (arrows) within the subepithelial area of the bronchiole. 3F displays CD31 positive cells (arrows) within the subepithelial area. Scale bar is shown.