Fig. 4

E-cadherin expression in bronchial epithelial cells. When bronchial epithelial cells were stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or/and IL-17A, E-cadherin expression in cells was detected using immunofluorescence staining. E-cadherin expression in CSE group was lower than that in controls, and was lowest in CSE + IL-17A group. When NF-κB was inhibited, E-cadherin expression was increased in cells stimulated with CSE and CSE + IL-17A compared to those without inhibition. a E-cadherin expression in control group without NF-κB inhibition. b E-cadherin expression in CSE group without NF-κB inhibition. c E-cadherin expression in IL-17A group without NF-κB inhibition. d E-cadherin expression in CSE + IL-17A group without NF-κB inhibition. e E-cadherin expression in control group with NF-κB inhibition. f E-cadherin expression in CSE group with NF-κB inhibition. g E-cadherin expression in IL-17A group with NF-κB inhibition. h E-cadherin expression in CSE + IL-17A group with NF-κB inhibition. (× 400 magnification)