Fig 4.

Increased gene expression of murine β-defensin (MBD)-3 in bone after Gram-positive bacterial challenge. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed. After bacterial challenge, MBD-3 transcripts were increased fourfold in infected animals when compared with controls. Moreover, elevated numbers of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α transcripts were measured in bacteria-challenged shinbones, validating an effective bone infection. *P < 0.01 vs control.