Figure 6
CEOs did not alter the levels of inflammatory cytokines 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 level in heart tissues were detected by western blotting (WB). CEOs did not change TNF-α (A), IL-6 (B) and TGF-β1 (C) mRNA expression and IL-18 (D,E) protein level. Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (n = 3–5, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05 versus the PM2.5 + saline group I). S3, S7, S14 refers to mice in PM2.5 + saline group I sacrificed at day 3, 7, 14, respectively. J3, J7, J14 refers to mice in PM2.5 + CEOs group sacrificed at day 3, 7, 14, respectively.
