Figure 6.

Topical treatment with DS‐70 in guinea pigs sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin reduces conjunctival levels of α₄ integrin. (A) Photomicrographs of the conjunctiva 24 h after topical challenge with ovalbumin and pretreatment with DS‐70 (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1%). Black arrows in panel A indicate hot spots of expression. (B) IHC score was assigned as reported in the Methods. Guinea pigs sensitized with saline and treated with the vehicle used to dissolve DS‐70 (saline + vehicle) showed basal levels of expression, as animals sensitized with saline and treated with DS‐70 alone (saline + DS‐70 0.1%). In guinea pigs sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin and treated with the vehicle used to dissolve DS‐70 (vehicle + OVA), IHC score is markedly increased, and DS‐70 at the concentration 0.1% maximized the reduction that can be seen already observed at 0.05%. Data are presented as the mean ± SD (five animals per group were included, and both eyes were evaluated; n = 10). Black bars = 50 μm. *P < 0.05, significantly different from saline + vehicle; ^# P < 0.05, significantly different from vehicle + OVA.