Figure 2

Fibrocytes are localized in proximity to the basement membrane in patients with mild asthma. Bronchial biopsies were stained using immunofluorescent antibodies against CD34(green), α-SMA(blue), CD45RO(red), and were subjected to confocal microscopy. Cells coexpressing CD34/α-SMA (A), CD45RO/α-SMA (B), and CD34/CD45RO (C) is presented where the merged pictures show double positive stained cells. Squares indicate the same area in one tissue section of double and triple positive cells close to the basement membrane. A merged picture illustrating the expression of all antibodies is presented (D) and a transmission picture shows localization of stained cells in tissue (E). Control staining indicates insignificant background staining in confocal and transmission mode (G). Definition of abbreviations: BM = Basement membrane, BV = Blood vessel, E = Epithelium.