Figure 2. Decreased SALB-mediated relaxation following CS exposure is associated with decreased β-adrenoceptor expression and increased cytokine expression.

(A and B) Airways in PCLS from sham- and CS-exposed mice were exposed to 300 nM 5HT prior to cumulative additions of SALB. (A) Submaximal pre-contraction to 5HT, expressed as % initial airway lumen area and (B) % relaxation to SALB. Data are expressed as mean ± S.E.M. (n=4 per group, n represents one slice per mouse, * P<0.05 unpaired t test). (C) Airways in separate PCLS from sham- and CS-exposed mice were exposed to 300 nM 5HT prior to addition of single concentrations of SALB. Data are expressed as mean ± S.E.M. (n=3–7 per group). (D–F) Lungs from sham and CS-exposed mice were harvested on day 5. All lungs were homogenized and RNA was extracted using a Qiagen kit. Following conversion of RNA to cDNA, quantitative real-time PCR was performed using Taqman primers for (D) β₂-adrenoceptor (E) TNFα and (F) IL-1β. Data were analysed by the ΔΔC_T method, using 18S as the control gene and shown as median and individual values (n=6 per group) * P<0.05 Mann–Whitney non-parametric test compared with PBS.