Ozone-induced inflammation and altered ventilation in genetically susceptible mice: a comparison of acute and subacute exposures.

We have examined whether the effects of acute (2 ppm/3 h) and subacute (0.3 ppm/72 h) ozone (O3) exposures on airways are mutually predictive. Inbred C57BL/6J (susceptible) and C3H/HeJ (resistant) mice are differentially responsive to inflammation induced by the 2 exposures. Breeding experiments and cosegregation analysis indicated that 2 separate genes control inflammatory responses: Inf (acute), Inf-2 (subacute). The genetic model was also used to examine the effects of both exposures on the magnitude and pattern of breathing. Results imply that mechanisms that control susceptibility to the 2 exposures are not the same, and that one response is not necessarily predictive of the other.