Fig. 5

Silencing of IL-24 or IL-37 alleviated AHR, airway inflammation and airway remodeling in an HDM-induced asthma murine model. a Schematic diagram of the animal experimental protocol for the chronic asthma murine model (n = 8 mice per group). Representative immunohistochemical images (b) and quantification (c) of IL-24 in murine lung tissues. Scale bar = 100 μm (× 630). d Airway resistance responses to various doses of inhaled methacholine (0–50 mg/ml) were determined within 24 h after the final HDM challenge. e The total and differential inflammatory cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from each group were determined by Diff-Quick staining. Macro, macrophage; Eosin, eosinophil; Neutro, neutrophil; Lymgh, lymphocyte. f Representative histopathological analysis of trachea and lung tissues from mice was performed with H&E staining, PAS staining and Masson staining. H&E staining of trachea sections: scale bar = 100 μm (× 630). H&E, PAS and Masson staining of lung sections: scale bar = 200 μm (× 200). (n = 8/group). Quantification of H&E staining (g), PAS staining (h) and Masson staining (i) in each group. The concentration of active TGF-β1 in the BALF (j) and serum (k) from each group of mice (n = 8/group). Bar diagrams and data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation (SD). ns, no significant differences. * vs. PBS group; & vs. HDM group. *^,&P < 0.05; **^,&&P < 0.01, ***^,&&&P < 0.001, ****^,&&&&P < 0.0001. si-NC: siRNA targeting of negative control