Figure 9

Apoptosis of AECII in lung tissues. (A) Control group (group I). TUNEL (red) and SPC (green) double-positive cells (apoptotic AECII) were detected infrequently. (B) Emphysema group (group II). Numerous apoptotic AECII were detected. (C) Emphysema + rAFMSC transplantation for 20 days (group III). The number of apoptotic AECII was decreased after rAFMSC transplantation for 20 days. (D) Emphysema + rAFMSC transplantation for 40 days (group IV). The number of apoptotic AECII was decreased substantially. Cells were counterstained with DAPI. (E) The number of apoptotic AECII in each group. Values are presented as the average apoptotic-AECII numbers (means ± SEM, n = 10); *P < 0.01 versus group I, **P < 0.01 versus group II, ^#P < 0.01 versus group III. Scale bars, 40μm.