FIG 3.

E. faecalis V583 mediates monolayer permeability via PAR2. Caco-2 cell monolayers were incubated with or without a PAR2 antagonist (FSLLRY-NH₂) for 24 h. The monolayers were then incubated with E. faecalis V583 CCM (filled bars) or a medium control (open bars) for a further 24 h. The flux of FITC-dextran across Caco-2 cell monolayers was significantly greater when monolayers were cultured with E. faecalis V583 CCM than with the control (*, P < 0.0001). The E. faecalis V583 CCM-mediated permeability of Caco-2 cell monolayers was significantly reduced when PAR2 activation was blocked with an antagonist (*, P < 0.0001). Each experimental group represents at least 3 independent experiments with 2 technical replicates in each experiment. Data are expressed as mean values ± standard errors. Comparisons were made using one-way ANOVA.