FIG 2.

Granuloma formation after MAC infection is regulated by Nrf2. (A) Representative microphotographs of the lungs from wild-type and Nrf2^−/− mice 2, 4, and 8 months after intranasal inoculation of 1 × 10⁷ CFU of MAC or saline (Cont). The organized granulomas are indicated by closed arrows. Hematoxylin-and-eosin staining was used. Magnification, ×200. (B) The relationship between MAC bacteria and granulomas in the lungs of wild-type and Nrf2^−/− mice 8 months after MAC infection. Ziehl-Neelsen staining was used. Magnification, ×400. (C) The size of granulomas in the lungs of wild-type and Nrf2^−/− mice 8 months after MAC infection. All experiments were performed in duplicate with four mice in each group. The difference between Nrf2^−/− mice and wild-type mice after MAC infection was significant (#, P < 0.05). Data are means and SEM.