Levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF and serum samples. (A) Protocol of OVA-induced allergic asthma and administration of IL-27. (B and C) The levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were measured using ELISA when IL-27 was administered in a therapeutic manner. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 exhibited no significant differences in BALF and serum between the OVA + IL-27 group and OVA group. (D) The levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in the BALF were measured using ELISA when IL-27 was used in a preventive manner. The levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were lower in the OVA + IL-27 group compared with the OVA group. The data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments, with 8 animals per group. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001. BALF, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; ELISA, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.