Fig. 1. PHMG enhances allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. (A) Experimental protocol for the intranasal administration of PHMG. BALB/c mice were either exposed or not to PHMG during OVA sensitization and then subjected to a further OVA challenge. (B) Measurement of BHR in the mice in response to inhaled methacholine. (C) hematoxylin and eosin-stained lung tissue. (D) Total and (E) differential cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. (F) Total- and (G) Serum levels of OVA-specific IgE.

Con, control; OVA, ovalbumin; P/S/CON, control group exposed to PHMG during sensitization; P/S/OVA, OVA group exposed to PHMG during sensitization; Ig, immunoglobulin; PHMG, polyhexamethyleneguanidine; BHR, bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Significance was determined using one-way analysis of variance, ^*P < 0.05, ^†P < 0.01, ^‡P < 0.001. In the significance of BHR, ^§P < 0.01 was compared to the control group, and ^∥P < 0.05 was compared to the OVA group.