Abstract: Abstract: Objective To investigate the pathological changes of airway epithelium mucosa in asthmatic mice. Meth⁃ ods Ten mice were divided into two groups: control group and asthma group, five mice in each group. Asthma group was sensitized with chicken ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection on day 0 and 7. Mice were then challenged with OVA on day 14, 15, and 16, 1 hour each time, once a day. Control group was given PBS solution instead of OVA. Lungs were col⁃ lected at day 18 in two groups. Immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate asthmatic mouse model. Quantitative PCR was applied to detect the expression of Claudin 1, Claudin 3, Claudin 4, Claudin 5, Claudin 7 and Claudin 10 in lung tissues. Results The expressions of Claudin 3, Claudin 4 and Claudin 10 were significantly lower in asthma group than those in control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in Claudin 1, Claudin 5 and Claudin 7 mRNA levels between control group and asthma group (P > 0.05). Conclusion Tight junctions of airway epithelium are loosed in asthma, suggest⁃ ing that epithelial permeability is increased.

Key words: asthma, connexins;, airway epithelium, chloride channel, calcium activated, family member 3;, tight junc? tion protein, Claudin 3