Fig. 2

Reduced MRE11 expression in ATII cells in emphysema. Lung tissue and ATII cells were obtained from non-smokers (NS), smokers (S), and emphysema patients (E). Panel I: PICT1 was immunoprecipitated in lung tissue, followed by mass spectrometry analysis. A Representative MRE11 spectrum is shown, which was identified as a PICT1 interactor. B MRE11 mRNA levels in ATII cells by RT-PCR. C Representative Western blot images of MRE11 expression in ATII cells. D Quantification of protein expression normalized to β-actin is shown. E MRE11 (green) and PICT1 (red) antibodies and DAPI (blue) were applied using immunofluorescence. ATII cells were identified in lung tissue sections using SP-C (magenta, scale bar 5 μm). F Pearson’s correlation coefficient for PICT1 and MRE11 fluorescence co-localization in ATII cells is shown. Panel II: A MRE11 mRNA levels in lung tissue by RT-PCR. B Representative Western blot image of MRE11 expression in lung tissue. C—Quantification of protein expression is shown. Data are shown as means ± SEM (N = 3 – 19 lungs per group). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001