Figure 2.

Smoke induces Smad3 as well as p38 and HSP27 phosphorylation. (a) Western blot quantification of Smad3 phosphorylation showed an >2-fold increase 1 h after smoke exposure, an about 3-fold at 2 h and 4 h as well as 2-fold increase at 6 h. (n ≥ 20 from 12 lungs). Below each quantification, a representative western blot is shown and below the blot, single data points of cells from smokers and non-smokers. (b) p38 phosphorylation was increased 16.3-fold upon smoke exposure within 1 h, followed by a decrease to ~3.8 fold at 6 h (n ≥ 10 from 10 lungs). Below each quantification, a representative western blot is shown and below the blot, single data points of cells from smokers and non-smokers. (c) HSP27 phosphorylation (n = 4 from 4 lungs) was increased within 1 h to ~4.5 fold and to ~2.5 fold at 6 h after cigarette smoke exposure. Below each quantification, a representative western blot is shown and below the blot, single data points of cells from smokers and non-smokers. All: Ratios were quantified for the appropriate phosphorylated protein as a fraction of total protein, corrected for GAPDH and normalized to air control. *Indicates p < 0.05 compared to control (6 h air exposure).