Fig. 2.
Relative IgM and IgG anti-TF levels following immunization with bacterial strains expressing different TF-related antigens at their surface. Twelve mice allocated to three experimental groups were intraperitoneally immunized either with B. ovatus D-6 (expressing true TFα antigen, mice M1 to M4), E. coli G-2 (expressing a TF-related antigen, mice M5 to M8), or E. coli DSM 8697 (expressing cryptic TF antigen only, mice M9 to M12). Pre-immune (day -1) and post-immune sera (day 21) were analyzed in ELISA for IgM and IgG antibody binding to PAA-TFα and PAA-Lec in the presence or absence of AGP (or GP as control). Numbers shown at the bottom of each graph represent percent increase of the TFαR value following immunization. An increase of at least 15 % of the TFαR following immunization was set as limit for a serum to be positive. Sera were diluted 1/50–1/100. * p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Pre: preimmune serum; post: post-immune serum