Prdx6 protein and mRNA levels after paraquat exposure.

<p><i>A) Prdx6 protein expression levels after paraquat (PQ) treatment</i>. Lung protein extracts from <i>Cftr</i>^+/+ and <i>Cftr</i>^−/− mice treated with either PQ (+) or saline (−) were subjected to immunoblot analysis using antibodies against Prdx6. The decrease in Prdx6 protein after PQ exposure is greater in <i>Cftr</i>^−/− mice than in <i>Cftr</i>^+/+. On the left, a representative blot is presented. Individual data were quantified as ratio of fluorescence intensity for Prdx6 bands to the intensity obtained for α-tubulin. Data are shown as percent of <i>Cftr</i>^+/+ treated with saline (mean±S.E., n = 5 for saline and n = 10 for PQ). <i>B) Prdx6 mRNA levels after PQ treatment</i>. Total lung RNA from <i>Cftr</i>^+/+ and <i>Cftr</i>^−/− mice treated with either PQ (+) or saline (−) was reversely transcribed and the amount of cDNAs coding for Prdx6 and the reference protein β-actin were measured by quantitative Real-Time PCR. The decrease in Prdx6 mRNA after PQ challenge is greater in <i>Cftr</i>^−/− mice than in <i>Cftr</i>^+/+. Indicated values correspond to the ratio of Prdx6 to β-actin mRNA (mean±S.E., n = 8 for saline and n = 5 for PQ, in triplicate). <i>C) Immunohistochemical analysis of Prdx6 after PQ</i> treatment. Acetone-fixed cryosections from <i>Cftr</i>^+/+ and <i>Cftr</i>^−/− mice treated with PQ or saline were incubated with anti-Prdx6 antibodies and visualized by confocal microscopy. Panels correspond to sections of bronchioles from <i>Cftr</i>^+/+ mice treated with either saline (a) or PQ (b) and from <i>Cftr</i>^−/− mice treated with saline (c) or PQ (d). Prdx6 staining intensity was lower after PQ exposure. * P≤0.05, *** P≤0.001