Asian sand dust enhances allergen-induced th2 allergic inflammatory changes and mucin production in BALB/c mouse lungs

Recent studies have reported that Asian sand dust (ASD) has a potential risk of aggravating airway inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ASD on inflammation and mucin production in the airways of allergic mice. FORTY BALB/C FEMALE MICE WERE DIVIDED INTO FOUR GROUPS: saline (group 1); ASD (group 2); ovalbumin (OVA) alone (group 3); and OVA+ASD (group 4). OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum and interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was performed on lung tissues. In addition, immunohistochemical staining for IL-4, IL-5, MUC5AC, and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) was conducted. Serum IgE levels were significantly higher in group 4 than in group 3 (P