Fig. 1.

IL-31 and IL-31R mRNA expression was upregulated in the asthma mouse model. On days 0, 7 and 14 the mice were injected intraperitoneally with 100 μg OVA, and 5% OVA was delivered by pump atomization on day 21 for 8 consecutive weeks (30 min/day, 3 days/week). Within 24 h after the last atomization, the mice were euthanized, and lung tissue, BALF and peripheral blood were collected for analysis of histopathology, infiltrates, IgE levels and the expression of IL-31 and IL-31RA. (A) Lungs were stained with HE and AB-PAS. (B,C) Cell infiltrates in BALF (n=10). (D) IgE levels in peripheral blood (n=10). (E) IL-31 levels in peripheral blood (n=10). (F,G) IL-31 and IL-31R mNA expression in lung tissues was detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR (n=10). Results expressed as the mean±s.d. Statistical significance was determined by two-tailed one-way ANOVA analysis for multiple comparisons after data from each group were proved to fit normal distribution. The experiment was repeated twice.