Fig. 2

Role of AZI on airway epithelial barrier dysfunction in CS-exposed rats. After CS exposure for 12 weeks with or without AZI treatment, the BALF and lung tissues of rats were collected for further experimental studies, respectively. A The contents of IL-6 and TNF-α in the BALF of rats were analyzed by ELISA. B, C, E, F Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expressions of indicated proteins in the lung tissues of rats. D Immunohistochemical staining for ZO-1 and E-cadherin was performed in the lung tissues of rats. The scale bar represents 100 μm. Data shown are means ± SD, n = 6, with 3 replicates for each sample. ^###P < 0.001 vs control group; ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001 and ns means no significant difference vs COPD group