Fig 3. HEX enhances barrier integrity and limits the NF-κB signaling pathway in MMECs.

A-D. The protein levels of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-3 were assessed after HEX pretreatment (0, 2.5, and 5 μM) for 2 h and S. aureus treatment (10⁵ CFU) for 24 h (n = 5). E. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect TJs protein ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-3 expressions in MMECs (scale bars, 10 μm). F-H. Protein levels in the NF-κB signaling pathway, including IκB, p65, and phosphorylation levels of IκB and p65, were detected with HEX pretreatment (0, 2.5, and 5 μM) for 2 h and S. aureus treatment (10⁵ CFU) for 24 h (n = 5). One-way ANOVA (B-D and G-H) was used, and values are presented as the mean ± SD (B-D and G-H). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001 indicate significantly different from each group. ns, no significance.