Figure 4 Autophagy was induced to protect CIH-induced dysfunction. (A) Immunohistochemistry staining of LC3B on the soft palate of the control group and the CIH group. The LC3B positive cells were located in the mucosa and muscle layers. Scale bar is 100 μm. (B) Western blotting of LC3B expression in the control group and the CIH group. (C) The bar showing the relative expression level. The relative protein expression was calculated based on the control group which was considered equal to 1. All values are expressed as mean±standard deviation. * P<0.05. (D) Transmission electron microscopy depicting ultras structures of autophagolysosomes in endothelial and muscular cells of the soft plate exposed to normal or chronic intermittent hypoxia. Autophagic vacuoles are highlighted by arrows. Bar scale 1 μm.