Fig. 2.
SOD3 protected against elastase-induced airspace enlargement and lung function decline. (A) Elastase administration significantly increased the value of Lm, which was decreased by SOD3 overexpression. H&E-stained panels represent three separate experiments. Original magnification, 100×. (B) Deficiency of SOD3 increased lung compliance, whereas lung compliance was decreased in SOD3 transgenic mice compared with WT mice administered with elastase. Elastase-induced decrease of RL was attenuated in SOD3 Tg mice compared with WT mice. However, Rn was not altered by either CS exposure or SOD3. Data are shown as mean ± SEM (n = 3–4 per group). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001 versus corresponding saline solution–exposed groups; ++P < 0.01 and +++P < 0.001 versus corresponding elastase-exposed WT mice.