Figure 2
Endogenous prostaglandin production in the airways as assayed by ELISA in BAL fluid. Graph (a) shows endogenous PGE2 production. PGE2 increased 2.4 fold in allergen-sensitized (n = 11) versus non-sensitized mice (n = 5). Endogenous PGE2 production fell significantly to baseline levels in HDM-sensitized mice treated with PGE2 (n = 11), but remained unchanged when mice were treated with sulprostone (n = 11). Graph (b) depicts endogenous airway 6-keto PGF1α production (a metabolite of PGI2). In the same way as PGE2, 6-keto PGF1α increased 2.4 fold in allergen-sensitized (n = 11) versus non-sensitized mice (n = 5). 6-keto PGF1α production fell in HDM-sensitized mice treated with PGE2 (n = 11) and sulprostone had a similar inhibitory effect on BAL 6-keto PGF1α expression (n = 11). Graph (c) shows endogenous PGD2 production. No differences were found in BAL fluid levels of PGD2 in mice between any of the experimental groups (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.005).