Fig. 7

ERK signaling pathway contributed to MMP-12 over-production and the airway disorders provoked by LPS. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with the specific inhibitor of ERK. ERK expression was detected by western blot (a) and was semi-quantitatively assessed (b). MMP-12 levels (c), inflammatory cells (d), pathological damage of lung tissues (e-i), HPS (j) and AHR (k) were noteworthy alleviated by ERK inhibition. Representative HE staining: original Magnification × 200, e: control group; f: RSV group; g: LPS group; h: RSV + LPS group; i: RSV + LPS+ i ERK group; j: Histological scores. Graphs are represented as the mean ± sem. Data are representative of two independent experiments performed on 6 animals per group. *, p < 0.05, **, p < 0.01, ***, p < 0.001, shown comparing the control group with the RSV + LPS group; #, p < 0.05, ##, p < 0.01, ###, p < 0.001, shown comparing the RSV + LPS group with the LPS group; ^, p < 0.05, ^^, p < 0.01, ^^^, p < 0.001, shown comparing the RSV + LPS group with the RSV group; ϕ, p < 0.05, ϕ ϕ, p < 0.01, ϕ ϕ ϕ, p < 0.001, shown comparing the RSV + LPS group with the RL + i ERK group