Western analysis of vitronectin isoforms expression in bronchial surface epithelium from bronchial brushings.

<p><b>(a)</b> Immunoblots of vitronectin expression in control individuals (number 10, 15 and 17) and diseased subjects (numbers 12, 13, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24 and 25). 65- and 75-kDa vitronectin isoforms are presents in all subjects. β-actin was used as a control for protein loading. <b>(b-c) Quantification by densitometry of 65- and 75-kDa vitronectin isoforms.</b> 65-kDa vitronectin expression was lower in diseased subjects when compared with control individuals (p = 0.0412). The vitronectin/β-actin ratio is represented on the y axes for controls and diseased subjects. Error bars represent the standard error of means.