Figure 4

IHC distribution of TNC, VCAN and FN in fibrotic lungs. A) Immunohistochemical study shows a strong deposition of TNC in fibroblastic foci of IPF lungs, with more intensity in the subepithelial area. VCAN and FN are present in these fibroblastic foci, although both glycoproteins are present in other interstitial areas; B) A higher magnification of IPF lungs show myofibroblast rich areas (“early fibroblastic foci”, pointed with asterisk) where TNC deposition is also present; C) cHP lungs that showed some fibroblastic foci had TNC, VCAN and FN deposition following a similar pattern than in IPF lungs; α-sma positive cells with spindle shaped morphology localize myofibroblast. H/E: hematoxilin/eosin, TNC: tenascin C, VCAN: versican, FN: fibronectin, α-sma: alpha-smooth muscle actin.