Fig. 5

CS inhibited cytokine gene expression in the lymph nodes draining the inflammatory site. Expression of mRNA was investigated by real-time PCR in positive control mice (sensitized and challenged with DNFB “0.5 and 0.2%”, n = 7), in negative control mice (only challenged by 0.2% of DNFB, n = 4), and in mice sensitized and challenged with DNFB “0.5 and 0.2%” and treated with CS at this two phases (Cap, n = 6). The analysis of IFNγ (a), IL-17 (b) and IL-4 (c) mRNA expression is shown. Results are represented as normalized expression: 2 − ΔCt (ΔCt = Ct RNA target – Ct β-actin). P value <0.05 was considered to be significant [* p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001] (Additional file 5)