Figure 3.

Inhibition of PI3K reduced autophagy in a COPD mouse model induced by PM2.5. Protein expression of LC3 and ATG5 by statistical analysis (a and b) and western blotting assay of LC3 and ATG5 protein level (c). **P < 0.01 compared with sham group; ^##P < 0.01 compared with COPD model group. COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; PM2.5, particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 µm; Sham, sham control mice group; Model, mouse model with COPD induced by PM2.5; PI3K inhibitor, treatment with PI3K inhibitor group.