Fig. 5.

GGPPS1 knockout ameliorated VILI in mice via inhibition of autophagy. C57BL/6 mice with lung-specific GGPPS1 knockout (GGPPS1^−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to mechanical ventilation (VT) or not. The GGPPS1^−/− mice in the VT group were then intravenously injected with RAPA (a key activator of autophagy). a Lung injury was analyzed by HE staining and b lung injury was scored. c Mouse lungs were collected for calculation of the wet-to-dry ratio. d Total protein levels in BALF were analyzed using a BCA kit. e Neutrophils in BALF were analyzed by flow cytometry. f The contents of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α, in BALF were measured by ELISA. g Protein expression of LC3 I/II and cytokines was analyzed by western blot. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001 vs. the indicated group