a, Time line of GeRP (scrambled (Scr) or Map4k4, oligo 1) administration and PEC/tissue isolation. b, Confocal microscopy of PECs and tissue macrophages containing GeRPs (green). Macrophages were stained with F4/80–AF633 (magenta). Arrows indicate cells containing GeRPs. Nuclei (n) were stained with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI, blue). Magnification is indicated in the panels. c, Map4k4 mRNA expression in PECs and adherent cells from tissues. d, Serum INF-γ levels from mice gavaged with PBS, unloaded GeRPs or GeRPs containing 20 µg kg−1 of Scr siRNA (n = 5). Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA and Tukey post test. **P < 0.01 and *P < 0.05. Results are mean ± s.e.m.