Figure 8.

TNBS-colitis in wild-type mice administered an expression vector encoding normal NOD2 or NOD2 bearing a frame-shift mutation encapsulated in HVJ-E. (A) Western blot analysis of NOD2 expression in spleen adherent cells. (B) Body weight changes of mice in each group over the next four days (expressed as a percent of initial body weight); data from each group obtained from 10 mice per group drawn from two independent studies. Statistical differences between mice receiving a vector encoding normal NOD2 and NOD2 bearing a frame-shift mutation or empty vector denoted by **, p < 0.05. (C) Representative H & E stained cross-sections of colons of mice at the time of sacrifice 4 days after TNBS challenge (magnification: 25X); Mice administered: (a) vector encoding normal NOD2; (b) vector encoding frame shift NOD2; or (c) empty vector. (D) IL-12p70 and IFN-γ production by MLN obtained from mice 4 day after TNBS-colitis induction and cultured with Staphylococcus aureus (Cowan I) plus IFN-γ or anti-CD3/anti-CD28 for 48h. Data are expressed as Mean ± SD from cells obtained from 10 mice in each group (derived from two separate studies). Statistical differences between different groups denoted by *, p < 0.05.