Figure 7.

CF Null Mice Present Reduced Eosinophil-Dependent Allergic Pathology and Compromised Antihelminth Immunity

(A) Mice (5–7 per treatment group) were sensitized to OVA and challenged with OVA aerosol for 5 days (acute protocol; sacrificed on day 25) or 5 weeks (chronic protocol; day 54). Pulmonary pathology was significantly reduced in CF null mice during both acute and chronic phases of allergen-induced airway inflammation as assessed by inflammatory response, mucus staining, and lung remodeling as follows: (A) H&E-stained lung sections showed decreased inflammatory infiltrate in the acute phase; (B) Periodic acid-Schiff staining indicating reduction in mucus-producing epithelial goblet cells (magenta) in the CF null airways at d25; (C) Sirius red detection of subepithelial matrix deposition visualized under polarized light. For each analysis, representative images are shown together with scores for individual mice plus group means. Scale bars represent 200 μm (original magnification ×10) for all images except panels showing mucus staining (50 μm; original magnification ×40).

(D) 100,000 B. Malayi Mf were injected i.v. into WT (n = 6) or Cst7^−/− mice (n = 7) and parasite burden (Mf/ml) and blood eosinophilia were monitored by blood sampling for 4 weeks (means ± SD; p values: ^∗ < 0.05; ^∗∗<0.01; ^∗∗∗<0.001). CF null mice significantly failed to clear the parasite within this window. Lungs were lavaged on day 28 for total leukocyte and eosinophil counts. Data represent individual mice plus means ± SD. See also Figure S6.