Fig. 4

Time-course analysis of cytokine release and gene expression demonstrates most significant expression inductions from 6 to 12 h after CNP exposure: Concentrations of CXCL1,-2,-5 and TNFa cytokines were quantified by ELISA in BAL fluid from mice 3 h to 7 days after CNP exposure (a). Highest levels were detected at 12 h after CNP. Similarly, gene expression of Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Cxcl5 and Tnf determined by qPCR in whole lung tissue revealed the most notable expression inductions from 6 h to 12 h after treatment (b). Relative expressions are provided, normalized to Hprt and Actb. All values are given as mean ± SEM, n = 5–10, asterisks represent significance as compared to control group with *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001