Enhanced expression of mRNA for major proinflammatory cytokines by AM from the acute exacerbation group: TNF-α (A), IL-1β (B), IL-6 (C), and CXCL-1/KC (D). Data are the mean ± SEM (n = 6 samples per group) relative to HPRT. Fold change relative to the naïve group is shown in parentheses. Significant differences relative to the naïve group are as shown as **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001; relative to the acute exacerbation group are shown as †P < 0.05, ††P < 0.01, and †††P < 0.001.