Figure 2

ILK-ko mice are protected from C. rodentium induced wasting disease and inflammation, and exhibit reduced expression of the chemokine CCL2. A. Colitis was induced in 6 animals per group by administering C. rodentium by gavage. Animal weights were recorded daily. There was an observed significant difference in their weights from days 13–15 (p < 0.05). B. Assessment of macroscopic damage in ILK-ko mice (day 15) indicated a significant reduction in comparison to control mice (**p < 0.01). C. Microscopic damage scores (day 15) were determined using criteria outlined in Materials and methods, based on severity and extent of inflammation. The data indicate there was reduced damage in the ILK-ko mice. D. ILK expression was assessed in response to Citrobacter at the time points indicated using western immunoblotting. The representative data indicated an increase in ILK expression after 48–72 hours (b-actin is shown as a loading control). E. ILK immunohistochemistry is shown 15 days post-infection in a wild-type and ILK-ko sample. There is a reduction in the ILK signal intensity in the epithelial cells as compared with the comparable intensity in the infiltrating immune cells.