Figure 2
PM2.5 upregulated inflammatory cytokines level in heart tissues. TNF-α, IL-6 and TGF-β1 mRNA expression in heart tissues was assayed by real-time RT-PCR using the 2−ΔCt method. IL-18 protein levels in heart tissues were detected by western blotting (WB). PM2.5 increased TNF-α (A) mRNA expression, IL-6 (B) and IL-18 (D,E) protein levels, but not altered TGF-β1 (C) mRNA expression. Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (n = 3–5, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05 versus the control group I). D3, D7, D14 refers to mice in control group I sacrificed at day 3, 7, 14, respectively. M3, M7, M14 refers to mice in PM2.5 group I sacrificed at day 3, 7, 14, respectively.
