Legend to Figures:
Fig 1. Comparison of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and FURIN gene expression levels (box-and-whisker plots showing median and interquartile range) between healthy volunteers and asthmatics in different airway compartments. ACE2 (A, D, G), TMPRSS2 (B, E, H) and FURIN (C, F, I) mRNA expression was assessed in sputum (A-C), bronchial brushings (D-F), and bronchial biopsies (G-I) compartments from healthy volunteers and asthmatics of different severity. Abbreviations: SA, severe asthmatics; MMA, mild-to-moderate asthmatics; HV, healthy volunteers; ns, not significant (p> 0.05). P values were determined by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests.
Fig 2. Forest plots showing associations between gene expression of ACE2, TMPRRS2 and FURIN, and baseline characteristics in (A) sputum, (B) bronchial brushings and (C) bronchial biopsies of asthmatics. Regression coefficients (95% confidence intervals) andp values were determined using multivariate linear regression tests for each gene expression level (as a dependent variable) and baseline parameters including age, gender, and those showing pvalues < 0.05 in univariate regression tests (shown in Table 1) as independent variables. All independent variables included in each multivariate model are presented. Gene expression levels and inflammatory cell counts (in sputum and blood) were log-transformed to normalize the distribution. Statically significant parameters (p< 0.05) are indicated with red color in symbol. Abbreviations: FEV1: Forced expiratory volume in the first second; OCS: Oral corticosteroid use; post-BD: post bronchodilator.
Fig 3. Scatter dot plots showing correlations between sputum FURIN gene expression levels and (A) neutrophils (%), (B) enrichment score (ES) of neutrophil activation gene signature and (C) ES of IL6-trans-signaling (IL6-TS) gene signature in sputum of asthmatics (n=104). Correlation coefficients and pvalues were determined by Spearman’s tests.
Fig 4. Comparison of (A) ACE2, (B) TMPRSS2 and (C) FURIN gene expression levels across transcriptomic-associated clusters (TACs) in sputum samples. Data shown as box-and-whisker plots showing median and interquartile range. Abbreviations: ns, not significant (p> 0.05). P values were determined by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests.