Figure 5.

GC021109 reduces HDM-induced increases in peribronchial and perivascular α-SMA.

Notes: (A) Representative photomicrographs of α-SMA immunostaining in lungs from mice exposed to saline, GC021109 (10 and 100 µg/kg weight/dose), HDM, and HDM + GC021109 (10 and 100 µg/kg weight/dose). Arrows point to α-SMA immunostaining around bronchioles (orange) and blood vessels (blue). Increased α-SMA expression was observed in HDM-exposed lungs compared to controls but not in HDM + GC021109 (both doses). Bar =50 µm. (B) Quantification of the relative area of α-SMA immunopositivity around bronchioles and arteries, expressed as a percentage of the total area of the peri-luminal muscle layer. Area measurements were made using ImageJ (National Institutes of Health). HDM treatment significantly increased, and HDM + GC021109 (100 µg/kg weight/dose) prevented increase in α-SMA expression. Data represent mean ± SEM; N=4 lungs (3 measurements each). ^‡P<0.0001, compared to control; ^{^}P<0.005, compared to HDM.

Abbreviations: HDM, house dust mite; SEM, standard error of means; α-SMA, alpha smooth muscle actin.