Fig. 5.

Analysis of nAChR protein levels in hPASMC and pulmonary arteries. (A) Cell surface α7 and α3 nAChR levels were analyzed in hPASMC from non-COPD (n = 5–8) and COPD (n = 5–6) patients by FACS. Representative histograms display stained cells (dark colored) and unstained controls (light colored). (B) Lung PA were stained with α7 nAChR (red), CD31 (yellow) and α-SMA (green). α7 protein levels were analyzed and quantified by fluorescence microscopy in PA from patients without (n = 10), mild (n = 3) or moderate COPD (n = 6). At least 6 fields randomly selected from the whole artery were quantified. Data are represented as the mean ± s.e.m.; Statistical comparison between groups was performed using two-sided unpaired Student's t-test (A) or one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey's test (B) (∗)p < 0.05, (∗∗)p < 0.01.