Figure 5.

Epithelial cells express PAI-1 following DT-mediated injury. (A) Type II alveolar epithelial cells were isolated from DTR⁻ and DTR+ mice. 5.0 × 10⁵ cells were plated in wells precoated with fibronectin. After 48 h, a subset of cells from each genotype was exposed to DT (1.0 μg/ml) for 24 h. RNA was harvested from the cells and PAI-1 expression was assessed via qRT–PCR and normalized to GAPDH. PAI-1 message levels from the treated cells were compared to untreated cells of the same genotype. Data are given as mean relative expression ± SEM, n = 10/group. (B) Diphtheria toxin (10.0 μg/kg) was administered for 14 days/protocol to DTR⁻ (n = 3) and DTR⁺ mice (n = 3). A control group of DTR⁻ mice was treated with PBS for 14 days. Type II AECs were isolated from each group and 2.0 × 10⁶ cells were cultured in fibronectin-coated wells. After 48 h, RNA was harvested from the cells and PAI-1 expression was assessed via qRT–PCR and normalized to GAPDH. PAI-1 message levels from the DT-treated groups were compared to the control. Data are given as mean relative expression ± SEM, n = 3/group.