Fig. 4

Prenatal ETS exposure exacerbates allergen-induced peribronchial inflammation, mucus secretion and AHR in the offspring. The effect of exposure to prenatal ETS or filtered air on the exacerbation of the cardinal features of asthma was examined in 12-week old pups. Offspring (6 mice per group) were intranasally challenged with HDM allergen or PBS (control) and lung tissue and serum collected for analysis. a Peribronchial inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia were determined by histological analysis of H&E-stained and PAS-stained lung segments, respectively (20×). b AHR was assessed by measurement of lung resistance using Buxco System. c Serum IgE levels were measured by ELISA. Results are mean ± SEM (n = 6), **p < 0.01 and *p < 0.05. Data are representative of at least two independent experiments