(A) Immunofluorescence microscopy showing neutrophil
extracellular traps, defined as colocalized extracellular DNA
(blue), neutrophil elastase (NE) (green),
and histone (red), present in transplanted lungs subjected to
prolonged cold ischemia (PCI), but not in those transplanted immediately after
harvest (control group). Scale bar = 10 μm. Results
are representative of at least three independent experiments.
(B) NE-DNA complexes are increased in bronchoalveolar
lavage fluid collected from lung grafts subjected to PCI as compared with lungs
transplanted immediately after harvest (n = 6 in each
group), whereas NE-DNA complexes are present at similar low levels in plasma
from both groups of recipient mice (C)
(n ≥ 12).
*P < 0.05. BALF =
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.