Figure 1
Expression of TLR3 in lung tissues of non-smokers, smokers, and COPD patients. Total protein and mRNA was obtained from lung tissue of non-smokers (n = 15), smokers (n = 12), and COPD patients (n = 15). TLR3 protein and mRNA expression was determined by western blot (A) and real time PCR (B), respectively, in lung parenchyma. (A) Representative images of western blot for TLR3 and corresponding densitometry expressed as ratio of β-actin. (B) TLR3 mRNA expression expressed as the ratio to GAPDH. (C) Spearman “ρ” correlation of the protein expression of TLR3 in COPD patients and lung function, FEV1% predicted. (D, E, F) Lung sections were immunostained for TLR3 and quantified by means of immunohistochemical score of TLR3 in alveolar macrophages (D) and bronchial epithelial cells (E). (F) Representative immunohistochemistry images are shown. The control IgG isotype signal was negative. Data are presented as individual values and mean ± standard deviation. Exact P values were obtained using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s post-hoc tests.