FIG 2.

SLO and capsule contribute to the phenotype induced by either LL-37 exposure or inactivation of CsrR. OKP7 cells were infected with GAS in the absence or presence of 300 nM LL-37. Total associated (A) and internalized (B) CFU were measured for cells infected with GAS 854, 854Δslo, 854ΔhasB, and 854ΔhasB/Δslo. Similarly, total associated (C) and internalized (D) CFU were measured for cells infected with 854ΔcsrR, 854ΔcsrR/Δslo, 854ΔcsrR/ΔhasB, and 854ΔcsrR/ΔhasB/Δslo. Data are means and SEM from four independent experiments; each experiment assayed each condition in triplicate. Asterisks indicate significant differences from parental strain 854 or 854ΔcsrR for the same condition: *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001. NS, not significant.