LAMB2 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A representative cryosection immunostained for nucleus and laminin is provided in Figure 2A. The number of central nuclei (a marker of newly fused satellite cells) per 100 muscle fibers was significantly higher in patients with COPD and preserved muscle mass (MTCSA > 70 cm2) compared to patients with COPD and muscle atrophy (MTCSA < 70 cm2) and healthy subjects (7.2 ± 0.7 vs 3.2 ± 0.2 vs 4.0 ± 0.5 respectively; p < 0.0001) (Figure 2B).