Figure 2.

TLR7 (Toll-like receptor 7) deficiency protects against miR-146a-5p–induced lung inflammation. BAL and lung tissue were collected and analyzed in both wild-type (WT) and TLR7^−/− mice at 18 hours after intratracheal delivery of miR-146a-5p or U→A mutant at a dose of 20 μg. (A) Albumin concentration in the BAL. (B) IL-6 and TNFα (tumor necrosis factor α) in the BAL were measured by ELISA. (C) TNFα, IL-1β, CXCL1, and IL-6 transcripts in the lung were tested by qRT-PCR. (D) The number of total BALC, leukocytes (CD45⁺), and neutrophils (Ly6G⁺CD45⁺) in the BAL were analyzed by flow cytometry. (E) Representative flow cytometry plot gated for Ly6G⁺ and CD45⁺. Data were presented as mean ± SEM or median with interquartile range. n = 6–13 mice per group. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post hoc test. BALC = BAL cells.