Fig. 1

Pulmonary function and flow cytometry of Th17 and Treg cells in the peripheral blood. Pulmonary function showing FEV 0.3, FVC and (FEV 0.3/FVC) % of all groups (A). The representative plots of Th17 cells were gated by CD4⁺IL17⁺ (B). Th17% refers to the ratio of Th17 to total lymphocytes. The representative plots of Treg cells were gated by CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ (C). Treg% refers to the ratio of Treg to CD4⁺ T cells. The Th17/Treg ratio in peripheral blood (D). Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01