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. 2018 Jun;58(6):736–744. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0329OC

Figure 5.

Figure 5.

Treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics inhibits small airway wall remodeling and emphysema in pIgR−/− mice. pIgR−/− mice received an antibiotics cocktail dissolved in drinking water (vancomycin, neomycin, ampicillin, and metronidazole [VNAM]) or regular drinking water only between 9 and 12 months of age. (A) Representative image of a bacterium invading the mucosa in a small airway from an untreated pIgR−/− mouse. The bacterium (red arrow) is labeled by a fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) probe targeting prokaryotic 16s rRNA. (B) Quantification of the percentage of airways/mouse with luminal bacteria visualized by FISH staining for bacterial 16s rRNA; n = 7–8 mice/group; *P < 0.05 (t test). (C) Quantification of neutrophil numbers in lung parenchyma after immunostaining with neutrophil elastase–specific antibodies; n = 7–8 mice/group; *P < 0.0001 (t test). (D) Elastase activity in whole-lung lysates; n = 6 mice/group; *P < 0.05 (t test). (E) Morphometric analysis of VVairway; n = 7–8 mice/group; *P < 0.0001 (t test). (F) Morphometric analysis of emphysema (mean alveolar septal perimeter); n = 7–8 mice/group; *P < 0.0001 (t test).