Fig. 3

TAF attenuated BLM-induced lung fibrosis in mice. a-c Paraffin sections from lung tissues of the mice on day 21, day 28, or day 35 were stained with H&E, Masson’s trichrome staining or Picrosirius red stain. Left: in control group, alveolar structure was integrated and distinct, with no obvious exudation (H&E), a few collagen fibers (stained blue) in the alveolar walls were detected (Masson’s trichrome staining), and the type of fibers were type III collagen fibers (stained green); middle: in BLM group, significant lung consolidation, alveolar septum thickness and vascular congestion were detected, with a large amount of collagen deposition in the alveolar walls, and the type of fibers were type I collagen fibers (stained yellow and orange); right: in TAF group, histological changes were intermediate between the control group and BLM group. Original magnification of photomicrographs: × 400 (scale bar = 50 μm)