Figure 5From: Silencing airway epithelial cell-derived hepcidin exacerbates sepsis-induced acute lung injury The knockdown of hepcidin in airway epithelial cells altered intracellular iron metabolism and function of alveolar macrophages after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery. (A, B) Iron levels in alveolar macrophages (A) and spleens (B) were evaluated by Prussian blue stain. A representative image is presented (magnification: ×400), and quantified data are shown. n = 5 to 6 mice/group. (C) Serum iron concentration was assayed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. n = 5 to 6 mice/group. *P <0.05. (D) Phagocytosis function of alveolar macrophages was accessed. n = 6 mice/group. *P <0.005.Back to article page