Figure 1

Cytokine and chemokine levels in lung homogenates after 6 months smoke or air exposure. (A) IL-8 levels were elevated by cigarette smoke in total group (WT and TKO) of smokers (P = 0.01). IL-8 levels are higher in the total group (Sm and NSm) of WT mice compared to TKO mice (P = 0.01). The smoke-induced upregulation of IL-8 in lungs of WT was higher compared to TKO mice (interaction, P < 0.05). (B) Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels were elevated by cigarette smoke in total group (WT and TKO) of smokers (P = 0.02). G-CSF levels are higher in the total group (Sm and NSm) of WT mice compared to TKO mice (P = 0.03). There was a trend to higher smoke-induced upregulation of G-CSF in lungs of WT compared to TKO mice (interaction, P < 0.10). (C) TNFα levels were elevated by cigarette smoke in total group (WT and TKO) of smokers (P = 0.01) and TNFα levels were higher in the total group (Sm and NSm) of WT mice compared to TKO mice (P = 0.00). There was no difference in upregulation of smoke-induced TNFα in lungs of WT versus TKO mice (no interaction). (D) MIP1α levels in total group of smokers compared to non-smokers was not significant, but levels are higher in the total group (Sm and NSm) of WT mice compared to TKO mice (P = 0.00). There was no difference in smoke-induced upregulation of MIP1α in lungs of WT versus TKO mice (no interaction). WT: Wild-type; TKO: Mrp1/Mdr1a/1b triple knock-out; Sm: smoker; NSm: non-smoker.