Regulation of TGF-1-induced connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in airway smooth muscle cells

A steeping apparatus is for steeping a solid food material in a liquid to impart a flavor of the solid food material to the liquid to produce a flavored beverage. A container is provided to hold the solid food material and the liquid. The container forms an opening, through which the solid food material and the liquid are inserted into the container, and a spout at a peripheral of the opening, through which the flavored beverage is poured out of the container. A plunger is movable with respect to the container between a first plunger position and a second plunger position. A plunger moving element coupled to the plunger such that the plunger moves from the first plunger position to the second plunger position as the plunger moving element is moved. The plunger includes a filter element that, as the plunger moves from the first plunger position to the second plunger position, permits the flow of liquid therethrough but that substantially inhibits the passage of solid food material therethrough. A lid is coupled to the opening of the container. The lid further includes a secondary filter element located over the spout of the container.