Effect of sub-chronic smoke exposure and 12 weeks of CS cessation on BALF and lung CD4⁺ and activated CD8⁺ lymphocytes.

<p>Male BALB/c mice were either exposed to 6 cigarettes/day, 6 days/week (▪) or sham handled (□) for 16 weeks. After smoke exposure a group of mice was then exposed to room air without cigarette smoke for 12 weeks. CD4⁺CD3⁺ lymphocyte number was determined in individual lung single cell suspensions (A) and BALF cells (B) using FACS analysis. Activated CD8⁺CD69⁺ lymphocyte number was determined in individual lung single cell suspensions (C) and BALF cells (D) using FACS analysis. In addition, activated NK cell numbers were quantified in individual lung single cell suspensions (E) and BALF cells (F). Data are shown as mean ± SE for n = 7–8 per treatment group. Data were analysed by two-way ANOVA and when significance was achieved a <i>post hoc</i> Bonferroni test was performed. #P<0.05 significant <i>post hoc</i> effect of CS compared to sham animals at the same recovery time-point.