Airway allergy caused activation of microglia in the brainstem, especially in the NA and NTS, as is shown by increased cell count, enlarged cell body and shortened processes in the immunofluorescent staining with anti-OX42 antibody (Figures 2A,B) (examined in five rats in each group), and by increased expression of Iba1 in the NA in Western-blot essay (Figures 2C,D) (examined in six rats in each group). Here, AIF1 is linked to allergic respiratory disease.