FIG. 4.

Ad-mediated elafin production and antibacterial activity in vitro. Female C57BL/6 mouse tracheal epithelial cells were either uninfected or infected with Ad-LacZ control or Ad-elafin (MOI = 100) in MEEM containing CaPO₄ precipitates. After 18 to 20 h at 37°C (see Fig. 3 legend), a 200-CFU inoculum of S. aureus was added (as for Fig. 2). Bacterial counts were performed as described in the same legend, and elafin quantification was performed by ELISA (21). Values represent mean ± the standard error of three experiments, each performed in triplicate (three inserts). ✽, Significant difference (Mann-Whitney, P = 0.005); ND, not detected.