Mice received DO Th1 and Th2 cells followed by i.n. airway challenge with the low dose of OVA (0.003%). Inhibitors of MMP-8 and MMP-9 or control inhibitors were administered daily, beginning 30 minutes before the airway challenge. Three days later, total BAL cells (open bars), BAL eosinophils (cross-hatched bars), DO Th1 (gray bars) and Th2 cells (black bars) were enumerated (mean ± SEM,; * and **: p<0.05 and p<0.01, compared to groups (5 mice per group) treated with inactive control inhibitors). Similar results were obtained in 4 additional experiments.