Figure 5.

CUP1 genes are required for the ectopic colonization of K. aerogenes in the inflamed gut. (A) Ka SK431 WT, $\mathrm{\Delta }$CUP1, or $\mathrm{\Delta }$CUFP2 strains were co-cultured with human colonic epithelial cell line T84 for 3 hours. T84 cells were then washed, and adherent bacteria were cultured on LB plates. The percentages of adherent bacteria relative to inoculum are shown. (B) For the oral niche, WT and mutant ($\mathrm{\Delta }$CUP1 or $\mathrm{\Delta }$CUP2) Ka SK431 strains were co-inoculated into SPF C57BL/6 mice by soaked ligature. Inserted ligatures were harvested on day 1 (inflammation-) or day 14 (inflammation+). CFUs of colonized strains were measured by plating in selective media. For the gut niche, WT and mutant Ka SK431 strains were co-inoculated into SPF B6 mice (naïve and DSS day 5) by oral gavage. Inoculated bacterial strains were then harvested 3 days post-challenge. The competition indexes (Wt/mutant) are shown. Results are the mean ± SD. ns; not significant, **; p < 0.01, ***; p < 0.001 by 1-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test.