Figure 3.

NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene deficiency increases airway neutrophilia and lung inflammation in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected mice. Nrf2 KO and Nrf2 wild type (WT) mice were infected with RSV or PBS. (A) Bronchoalveolar lavage was collected at different time points after infection for differential cell counts by Protocol HEMA3-stained cytospins. (B) Lung samples were harvested at days 5 and 7 post-infection, formalin-fixed for slide preparation, and hematoxylin and eosin stained. Representative stained lung tissue sections from the indicated treatment at day 7 post-infection. (C) Alveolitis and interstitial pneumonitis scored on lung sections. The bar graph represents mean ± SEM (n = 2–4 mice/group). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 when compared with WT/RSV mice.