Figure 8

Thickness of the peribronchial smooth muscle layer and airway responsiveness in Siglec-F deficient vs WT mice. Different groups of Siglec-F deficient or WT mice were subjected to chronic OVA challenge. Non-OVA challenged mice served as a control. The thickness of the peribronchial smooth muscle layer was quantitated in lung sections (Fig 8A). Chronic OVA challenge in WT mice induced a significant increase in the thickness of the peribronchial smooth muscle layer (p = 0.0001*)(Fig 8A)(WT no OVA vs WT OVA). The thickness of the peribronchial smooth muscle layer in OVA challenged Siglec-F deficient mice was significantly increased compared to WT mice challenged with OVA (p = 0.003^#)(Fig 6A). Airway resistance (Raw) was measured (cm H₂O.s/ml) in different groups of intubated and ventilated Siglec-F deficient deficient or WT mice following nebulization of either PBS diluent or MCh (3, 24, 48 mg/ml)(Fig 8B). Chronic OVA challenge in WT mice induced a significant increase in airway resistance (WT no OVA vs WT OVA; p < 0.002, 48 mg/ml MCh)(Fig 6B). Siglec-F deficient mice challenged with OVA had a statistically insignificant trend for increased airway responsiveness compared to WT mice (Siglec-F deficient OVA vs WT OVA; p = 0.15, 48 mg/ml MCh)(n = 16 mice/group).