Figure 5
From: Foxp3+ regulatory T cells promote lung epithelial proliferation
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) augment epithelial proliferation in mice after pneumonectomy (PNX). Wild-type (WT), Rag-1−/−, Foxp3gfp, and Foxp3DTR mice underwent left lung pneumonectomy. Foxp3gfp and Foxp3DTR mice undergoing PNX were also administered diphtheria toxin (DT) at the time of PNX and at days 2, 4, and 6 post PNX. (a) Representative lung sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to reveal morphological changes 7 days post procedure in WT sham, WT PNX, and Foxp3DTR mice (PNX and DT). Original magnification, × 40 and × 100. (b and c) WT mice (n=5 per group) alveolar (b) and lung (c) Foxp3+ Treg number at baseline and at 7 days post sham or PNX. *P<0.05 versus control/sham by 1 way analysis of variance. (d–f) Total lung cell count (d), CD326+ cell numbers (e), and percentage of proliferating epithelial cells (CD326+ki-67+) number (f) were determined by flow cytometry 7 days after sham procedure or PNX (n=6–13 per group). P-values determined by Mann–Whitney test.
