Effect of MWCNTs on the lung inflammatory response in mice after sensitization with HDM allergen.

<p>(A) Experimental protocol. (B) Total inflammatory cell numbers in the BALF at 1 day and 21 days in all treatment groups. ****P < 0.0001 for HDM/MWCNT mice compared to control animals. **P < 0.01 for HDM/MWCNT mice at 1 day compared to 21 days. (C) Cytospins of BALF showing neutrophilic inflammation with MWCNTs alone and mixed neutrophilic/eosinophilic inflammation with MWCNTs after HDM sensitization. Images taken at 100X magnification. (D) Relative number of inflammatory cell types counted in BALF cytospins at 1 and 21 days after MWCNT exposure with or without HDM. ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05. Values directly above bars indicate significant differences compared to control animals. Values above connecting lines indicate significant difference between MWCNT, HDM, or HDM/MWCNT treatment groups. Statistical analysis for total cell counts and cell differentials performed using a one-way ANOVA with a <i>post-hoc</i> Tukey. N = 11–14 animals for all 1 day cell differentials and counts. N = 8–13 animals for all 21 day cell differentials and counts.