Fig. 3

Activational effect of histone H4 on HPSE in Cl₂-induced ARDS. HPSE mRNA was measured by real-time qPCR (A) at 12 h while HPSE protein was measured by western blot analysis (B) 24 h after the mice were challenged by Cl₂ exposure (400 ppm, 30 min) or histone H4 injection (20 mg/kg). As an intervention, histone H4 (10 mg/kg) or anti-H4 antibody (20 mg/kg) was injected through the tail vein 1 h prior to Cl₂ exposure. The changes in HPSE mRNA (C) and protein (D) were ascertained at 12 h and 24 h, respectively, after mice were treated with different concentrations of histone H4 (2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg). The results of western blot analysis are representative of three similar samples. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared with the control group; #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01 compared with the Cl₂-exposure group