Figure 2

Effects of smoke exposure on histopathological changes, goblet cell hyperplasia or collagen deposition in lung tissues of OVA-induced asthmatic mice. Experimental conditions and group symbols used were described in Figure 1. Lung tissues were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, sectioned, and stained with hematoxilin and eosin (H & E) for general morphology (A) or periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) for goblet cell hyperplasia (B), and van Gieson (pink color) for collagen deposition (C) (magnification: × 200) and collagen amounts (D, right panel). Histogram indicates percentages in the numbers of PAS-positive goblet cells/total cells in 10 sites of 100 × 100 μm areas under microscopy (D, left panel). Bars in control (PBS/NS) image indicate 50 μm. Arrows in OVA/NS of B panel indicate goblet cells (pink color). Collagen amounts were assessed by the Sircol collagen assay. Data are shown as mean ± SEM for each group (n = 8). ***, P < 0.001 versus PBS/NS mice. ^†, P < 0.05; ^†††, P<0.001 versus OVA/NS mice. ^‡, P < 0.05; ^‡‡‡, P < 0.001 versus PBS/S mice.