In asthmatic mice, Qt treatment markedly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammatory cell numbers in the BALF, inhibited matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 and GATA-3 mRNA levels in the lung tissues, and improved Th1/Th2 balance (decreased Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 but increased Th1 cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ)) [32]. The gene discussed is IFNG; the disease is airway hyperresponsiveness.