Fig. 6

Effect of vitamin D deficiency on the antibacterial function of alveolar macrophages in air- and CS-exposed mice after 6 and 12 weeks. At the age of 8 weeks, C57Bl/6J vitamin D deficient and control mice were exposed to CS or ambient air for a period of 6 or 12 weeks. The ex vivo phagocytic and oxidative burst capacity of alveolar macrophages was assessed following interaction of BAL cells with E. coli bacteria. a Percentage of alveolar macrophages (CD11c⁺autofluorescent^high) that have internalized E. coli bacteria. b Percentage of alveolar macrophages (CD11c⁺autofluorescent^high) that have produced reactive oxygen radicals. n = 10–12 per group per time point; mean ± SEM; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001