Fig. 5.

Benzarone reduces proliferation and increases apoptosis in the pulmonary vasculature. a–c BZ treatment reduces muscularization and cell proliferation in rat lungs subject to the Su-Hx protocol. Serial lung sections were stained with (a) antibodies to SM22-α (SMC marker) and von Willebrand factor (vWF; endothelial cell marker), and with the nuclear marker DAPI, (b) H&E, (c) antibodies to α-SMA and Ki-67 to identify proliferating SMC, and with the nuclear marker DAPI. Scale bar = 100 μm. d Quantitation of the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells. Each data point represents at least eight sections per lung. CTL rats maintained in room air n = 4, VEH vehicle-treated animals subject to the Su-Hx protocol n = 5, BZ-treatment protocol n = 7. Data plotted as the mean ± SD, statistical significance determined by one-way ANOVA. e BZ induces apoptosis in lungs subject to the Su-Hx protocol. Lung sections were stained with antibodies to cleaved caspase-3 (CC3; an apoptosis marker) and to α-SMA; scale bar = 100 μm. H&E staining of serial sections showing blood vessels indicated by an asterisk are inset; scale = 50 μm. f Quantitation of the percentage of apoptotic cells. Each data point represents at least four sections per lung. CTL rats maintained in room air n = 2, VEH vehicle-treated animals subject to the Su-Hx protocol n = 4, BZ-treatment n = 4. Data plotted as the mean ± SD, statistical significance determined by one-way ANOVA. Source Data are provided as a Source Data file