Fig. 3

Bliss Independence analysis (a and b) and delta effect between the observed and expected relaxant response (c and d) induced by BDP plus FF administered at 100:6 combination-ratio in non-sensitized (a and c) and passively sensitized (b and d) human small airways (PCLS) submaximally contracted by histamine. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 vs. the expected additive relaxant effect as predicted by BI equation (statistical significance assessed by Student’s t test); ^###P < 0.001 vs. the expected additive relaxant effect as predicted by BI equation (statistical significance assessed by two-way ANOVA). Points represent the mean ± SEM of n = 5 bronchioles from different subjects. BI: Bliss independence; BDP: beclomethasone dipropionate; FF: formoterol fumarate; PCLS: precision cut lung slices