Fig 1.
Erythema and scales score of the skin on the backs BALB/c mice.
Scoring was performed on days 0, 2, 4 and 7 using the erythema and scales elements of the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) to assign a score of 0–4 to each animal and thereby assess the effects of daily treatment with Imiquimod cream and vehicle cream. (a) Erythema score: Data points are presented as group means ±SEM (n = 8, n = 10, n = 10 for controls, IMQ and IMQ-RSV respectively) (X = control group, O = IMQ-RSV group, □ = IMQ group). (b) Scales score: Data points are presented as group means ±SEM (n = 8, n = 10, n = 10 for controls, IMQ, IMQ-RSV respectively) (X = control group, O = IMQ-RSV group, □ = IMQ group).
Fig 2.
Calliper measurement of skin thickness.
The right ear fold and the skinfold on the backs of the mice were measured to quantify the thickening of the skin caused by Imiquimod treatment. (a) Skinfold thickness on the backs of the mice. (b) Right ear fold thickness. Columns represent group means ±SEM of skin/ear fold measurements day 7 ((n = 8, n = 10, n = 10 for controls, IMQ, IMQ-RSV respectively). Clamped bar with * above indicates the pair of column means are significantly different (p<0.05).
Fig 3.
Epidermal thickness measured in skin sections, presentation of the mouse phenotype and HE sectioned skin.
(a) Epidermal thickness; Means of epidermal thickness was calculated based on 15–20 random site measurements. (b-d) Presentation of phenotype of mice from control, IMQ and IMQ-RSV groups, respectively. Photograph is taken after 5 days of treatment. (e-g) HE-stained skin sections from the backs of the mice. Sections were used for evaluation of epidermal thickness. In the lower right corner of photos the white box = 100μm. Columns in a) are group means ±SEM (n = 7, n = 5, n = 5 for controls, IMQ, IMQ-RSV respectively). Clamped bar with * above indicates the pair of column means are significantly different (p<0.05). (Symbols: Striped fill = control, black fill = IMQ, grey fill = IMQ-RSV).
Fig 4.
Quantitative PCR of microarray genes.
Selected qPCR of genes that were 1.5 fold or more changed by RSV treatment in the microarray (RSV treated compared with the IMQ group). The mRNA levels were quantified using MYO18B as reference gene. (a) Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase 1 (PCK1). (b) Tripartite Motif Containing 63, E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase (TRIM63). (c) Protein Phosphatase 1, Regulatory (inhibitor) Subunit 3C (PPP1R3C). Columns in (a-c) are group means ±SEM (n = 8, n = 10, n = 10 for controls, IMQ, IMQ-RSV respectively). Clamped bar with * above indicates the pair of column means are significantly different (p<0.05).(Symbols: Striped fill = control, black fill = IMQ, grey fill = IMQ-RSV).
Fig 5.
RSV effects on IL-17A, IL-19 and IL-23p19 gene expression.
Quantitative PCR of IL-17A, IL-19 and IL-23p19 gene expression was determined to quantify effects of RSV on IL-17A, IL-19 and IL-23p19 gene expression. The mRNA levels of IL-17A, IL-19 and IL-23p19 were quantified using MYO18B as reference gene. Clamped bar with * above indicates the pair of column means are significantly different (p<0.05). Striped fill = control, black fill = IMQ, grey fill = IMQ-RSV.
Table 1.
Significantly RSV changed pathway.