Fig. 2: Injurious mechanical ventilation in mice increases miR-146a levels in alveolar macrophages.

a Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) differential cell counts in spontaneously breathing (SB) and ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) groups, n = 5 for SB, n = 10 for VILI groups. b miR-146a expression from RNA extracted from BAL cells following 4 h injurious ventilation (VILI) or from SB controls. Relative expression determined with ΔΔCt method, normalized to SB. Data log-normally distributed, p = 0.0007 via two-tailed Student’s t-test on log₂ (fold change), n = 5 for SB, n = 6 for VILI groups. c IL6 concentrations from SB and VILI groups; p = 0.0043 via Mann–Whitney test, n = 5 for SB, n = 6 for VILI groups. d KC/CXCL1 concentration from SB and VILI groups. Data normally distributed, p < 0.0001 via two-tailed Student’s t-test, n = 5 for SB, n = 6 for VILI groups. e BAL protein concentration from SB and VILI groups. Data normally distributed, p < 0.0001 via two-tailed Student’s t-test, n = 5 for SB, n = 6 for VILI groups. f Lung tissue elastance measurements at initiation of ventilation (baseline) and at the conclusion of 4 h ventilation. Data normally distributed, p = 0.0194 via two-tailed Students t-test, n = 7 per group. g Blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was measured by pulse oximetry at initiation and conclusion of ventilation. Data normally distributed, p = 0.0158 via two-tailed Student’s t-test, n = 7 per group. Data are presented as mean ± SEM.