Figure 6

Expression of SPA and SPC proteins examined by means of immunohistochemical staining. (A) Control group (group I). SPA and SPC staining was strongly positive. (B) Emphysema group (group II). SPA and SPC were expressed at lower levels than in group I. (C) Emphysema + rAFMSC transplantation for 20 days (group III). SPA and SPC expression was increased after rAFMSC transplantation for 20 days. (D) Emphysema + rAFMSC transplantation for 40 days (group IV). SPA and SPC expression was increased substantially after rAFMSC transplantation for 40 days. (E) Percentages of SPA-positive cells in the 4 groups. The percentage of SPA-positive cells was significantly lower in group II than in group I (P < 0.05), but the percentage was markedly increased after rAFMSC transplantation for 20 and 40 days (P < 0.05). (F) Percentages of SPC-positive cells in the 4 groups. The percentage of SPC-positive cells was significantly lower in group II than in group I (P < 0.05), but the percentage was markedly increased after rAFMSC transplantation for 20 and 40 days (P < 0.05). Values are presented as average percentages of SPA- and SPC-positive cells (means ± SEM, n = 10); * P < 0.05 versus group I, ** P < 0.05 versus group II, ^#P < 0.05 versus group III. Scale bars, 50μm.