FIG 5.

Muc13 expression in the stomach of Helicobacter-infected and control mice. Expression of Muc13 in the antrum (A) and fundus (B) of the stomach of ASB1.4- and SS1-infected BALB/c mice is shown. Data are presented as fold changes in gene expression normalized to 3 reference genes and relative to the results for the negative-control group, which are set as 1. Data obtained from the time points 1 day, 4 days, and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9 weeks are pooled and designated “early stage of infection.” Data obtained from the time points 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks are pooled and designated “mid-stage of infection.” Data obtained from the time points 34 and 52 weeks are pooled and designated “late stage of infection.” Data are shown as means + standard deviations. Significant differences in expression levels between the infected groups and the negative-control group in a certain time frame (ANOVA) are indicated (*, P < 0.05; ***, P < 0.001). Significant differences in expression levels between groups inoculated with H. heilmannii ASB1 or H. pylori SS1 in different time frames (ANOVA) are indicated (#, P < 0.05; ###, P < 0.001). (C and D) Correlation analysis between Muc13 mRNA expression and the number of colonizing Helicobacter bacteria in the stomach of BALB/c mice. The time points 4 days and 1, 2, 4, and 9 weeks were taken into account. Correlation was measured by Spearman's Rho (ρ). (E and F) Immunohistochemical analysis of Muc13 expression (brown) in the fundus of the stomach of a control mouse (bar = 30 μm) (E) and a mouse infected with H. heilmannii ASB1.4 for 4 weeks (bar = 30 μm) (F).