Fig. 2

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to generate Krt15 knockout mice. A Schematic diagram of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to knockout Krt15. B Scheme of the establishment of mice COPD model by exposing WT CS and Krt15^−/− CS mice to cigarette smoking for six months, while the WT and Krt15^−/− mice were exposed to air for six months. C, D Expression of Krt15. C protein detected using western blot and D mRNA detected using qRT-PCR in the four groups; GAPDH was used as the internal control. E Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of Krt15. N = 6 in each group. F Percentage of Krt15⁺ cells in IHC. ****p < 0.0001. WT wild-type, WT CS wild-type + CS exposure, Krt15^−/− Krt15 knockout mice, Krt15^−/− CS Krt15 knockout mice + CS exposure, CS cigarette smoking