Figure 2.
Eosinophil's contribution to lung injury during pulmonary aspergillosis. WT and ΔdblGATA-1 mice were infected via intranasal with 40 μL of suspension containing 1 × 108 conidia of A. fumigatus. BALF and lungs were harvested at 1 and 3 days after infection. Left lungs were harvested and fixed in formaldehyde 4% and embedded in paraffin. (A) Sample sections (n = 5 to 7 mice per group) were stained with hematoxilin and eosin and (B) pathology score was graded on a 0 to 5-point scale: 0 - no pathological change; 1 - minimal tissue destruction and/or inflammation; 2 - mild tissue destruction and/or inflammation; 3 - moderate tissue destruction and/or inflammation; 4 - marked tissue destruction and/or inflammation; 5 - intense tissue destruction and/or inflammation. (C) Total proteins in BALFs was quantified as an indirect measure of vascular permeability. Bars represent 100 μm. Also, forced spirometry was performed to investigate injury by modifications in lung functions after infection. Parameters assessed were lung's ability to streach and expand, by measuring (D) RI and (E) Cdyn and lung volumes, as presented by (F) FVC. Data are presented as Mean ± SD (n = 5 to 7 mice per group) *Significantly different (P < 0.05) compared WT to knockout mice group. #Significantly different (P < 0.05) between mice with different times of infection.