IFNα reduces the number of TUNEL positive cells in the pulmonary arterioles of SUH rats and inhibits HPAEC apoptosis.

Abstract

<p>Representative photomicrographs of pulmonary arterioles stained for TUNEL (red) and nuclei (blue) in (A) normoxic control rats; (B, C) 3 week SUH rats; (D, E) 3 week SUH rats treated with IFNα; (F, G) 5 week SUH rats; and (H, I) 5 week SUH rats treated with IFNα. Photomicrographs are representative of 4–6 animals per group. (J) WB analysis for total AKT and phospho-AKT in whole lung lysates from 3-week SUH rats or 5-week SUH rats with or without IFNα (n = 4 animals per group). Control or IPAH HPASMC were grown in complete media and apoptosis was induced by (K) serum starvation or (L) cycloheximide plus hydrogen peroxide with or without IFNα. Control or IPAH HPAEC were grown in complete media and apoptosis was induced by (M) serum starvation or (N) cycloheximide plus hydrogen peroxide. Percent apoptotic cells was assessed by the ratio of TUNEL positive nuclei to total nuclei.</p