Fig. 4

The AMPK/ULK1 axis was involved in the activation of ferritinophagy activation induced by ventilator-induced lung injury in mice. (A) Representative Western blotting images of p-AMPK, AMPK, p-ULK1, ULK1, and β-actin in lung tissues. (B) The protein expression of P-AMPK relative to AMPK (n = 4). (C) The protein expression of P-ULK1 relative to ULK1 (n = 4). (D) Representative Western blotting images of FTH1, NCOA4, and β-actin in lung tissues. (E, F) The protein expression of FTH1 and NCOA4 relative to β-actin (n = 5). (G) H&E staining was performed on tissue samples from both groups, with a scale bar indicating 100 μm. (H) Pathological scoring was conducted based on the H&E staining results (n = 4). (I) IL-1β levels in lung tissue (n = 3). (J) IL-6 levels in the lung tissue (n = 3). (K) TNF-α levels in the lung tissue (n = 3). Data are expressed as mean ± SD. “*” indicates significant difference between groups (*p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 or *** p < 0.001)