Fig. 17.

mRNA expression levels of telocyte markers after cell picking by laser capture microdissection. The expression levels of Oct4, vimentin, Sca-1, C-kit, VEGF and PDGR-β were determined by qRT-PCR. Cells from different locations including peribronchial and perivascular regions and alveolar septa were selected by laser capture microdissection and the RNA was isolated. Note that Oct4 expression is relatively low and is almost similar in all ROI, whereas vimentin, C-kit and Sca-1 mRNA in vessels and alveolar septa are higher than in bronchi. VEGF is higher in septa, whereas the levels of PDGFR-β were similar in all compartments. Data are expressed in ΔCT values normalized with GAPDH housekeeping gene control.