Figure 3
Altered alveolar epithelial structure in RPT3AT2Δ/Δ mice. (a–d) SEM analyses of alveolar architecture on days 7, 9 and 11 after tamoxifen treatment (days 1–7). AD: alveolar duct, Alv: alveolus and alveolar walls, Ca: capillary. n = 2 mice/genotype. (e–p) TEM of alveolar walls. Pronounced membrane blebbing (arrows; l) was observed in AT1 cells. Arrowhead (k) points to cellular debris. Dashed circle (o): accumulation of electron dense macromolecules. Red asterisks (g,h): disintegrated alveolar walls. Blue asterisk (o): vacuole in AT2 cell. LB: lamellar body, NUC: nucleus. Scale bars = 50 μm (a–d), 5 μm (e–h), 2.5 μm (i–l) and 1 μm (m-p). n = 2–4 mice/genotype. Controls included both SftpcWT/CreER:RPT3F/F mice without tamoxifen treatment and Cre mice that were fed tamoxifen chow for 7 days.
