Mean (SE) of inflammatory and epithelial changes in the airways as assessed by morphometry
| Exposure | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Non-immunised ovalbumin 6 wk | Boosted ovalbumin 2 wk | Boosted ovalbumin 4 wk | Boosted ovalbumin 6 wk | Boosted ovalbumin 8 wk | |
| Number of cells in lamina propria/100 μm basement membrane | 12.27 (1.39) | 18.31 (2.05) | 25.18 (3.40)1-150 | 27.94 (2.28)1-150 | 42.66 (3.96)*** | 44.00 (5.61)*** |
| Number of intraepithelial eosinophils/mm basement membrane | 0.17 (0.08) | 0.75 (0.22) | 0.40 (0.18) | 0.73 (0.27) | 1.20 (0.15)1-150 | 2.22 (0.50)** |
| Thickness of epithelium (μm) | 15.02 (0.99) | 11.30 (0.60) | 14.11 (1.02) | 17.64 (1.10) | 18.05 (1.51) | 21.23 (1.47)** |
| Thickness of subepithelial layer of collagen (μm) | 3.41 (0.29) | 4.31 (0.13) | 5.05 (0.36) | 5.29 (0.55)1-150 | 6.19 (0.60)** | 7.82 (0.71)** |
| Grade of mucous cell hyperplasia/metaplasia | 0.00 (0.00) | 0.50 (0.34) | 2.50 (0.34)1-150 | 1.80 (0.66) | 2.83 (0.40)1-150 | 2.50 (0.50)1-150 |
↵1-150 p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 compared with normal animals.