Fig. 3

Dynamic changes in macrophage accumulation and polarization with the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. a Representative H&E and Masson’s trichrome staining of pulmonary fibrosis specimens at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after BLM intratracheal instillation. b The severity evaluation score of fibrosis (n = 5). c Immunohistochemistry of F4/80⁺, CD86⁺, and CD206⁺ macrophages in pulmonary tissues and d quantification of macrophages and M1, M2 phenotypes during the fibrosis progression (n = 5). e Dynamic change of TGF-β, f SOD, g MDA, h IL-4, and i IL-13 levels as the lung fibrosis development (n = 5). Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA with S–N-K post hoc analysis. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001