Fig. 5

Blockade of NB-induced development of emphysema and lung cancer by targeting IGF2. A Schematic diagram of the experimental procedure of intratracheal treatment with IGF2 mAb in combination with NB after three-month NB treatment (the current smoker model). B Representative H&E and immunofluorescence (IF) images of changes in the level of Pdpn⁺ AT1s and SPC⁺ AT2s, the proliferation of AT2s (Ki67⁺ in Muc1⁺ AT2s), and airspace enlargement. C Quantitative analyses of changes in the level of Pdpn⁺ AT1s and the proliferation of AT2s (Ki67⁺ in Muc1⁺ AT2s) (n = 10/group). D Quantitative analysis of airspace destruction (n = 10/group). E Changes in lung function (n = 9/group). F Quantitative analyses of tumor formation (n = 6 or 7/group). G Schematic diagram of the experimental procedure of intratracheal two-month treatment with IGF2 mAb without NB after a three-month NB treatment (the ex-smoker model). NB-1 indicates the NB group that was euthanized and analyzed after three-month NB treatment. NB-2 indicates the NB group that was euthanized and analyzed at the same time as the IGF2 mAb treatment group (two- months without NB after three months of NB treatment). H Representative H&E and IF images of changes in the level of Pdpn⁺ AT1s and SPC⁺ AT2s, the proliferation of AT2s (Ki67⁺ in Muc1⁺ AT2s), and airspace enlargement. I Quantitative analyses of changes in the level of Pdpn⁺ AT1s and the proliferation of AT2s (Ki67⁺ in Muc1⁺ AT2s) (n = 10/group). J Quantitative analysis of airspace destruction (n = 10/group). K Changes in lung function (n = 7‒11/group). L Quantitative analyses of tumor formation (n = 6‒11/group). Data are the mean ± SD. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001 [one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s post-hoc test (C-E, I-K) or Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s post-hoc test (C, F, I, L)]. Scale bars: 25 μm (H&E images); 50 μm (IF images)