Fig. 4.

Relative gene expression of the immune pathways repressors, transcription factors and AMPs determined by qPCR after S. aureus challenge: a and c Relative gene expression of cactus and dorsal regulators of Toll pathway; b and d Relative gene expression of caspar and relish regulators of Imd pathway; e, f, and g Relative gene expression of AMPs attacin, cecropin, and defensin 2. Bars represent mean with standard error (SEM) of two biological replicates from independent experiments collected at 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-challenge. Quantifications were normalized relative to the housekeeping gene rp49, and relative gene expression expressed as fold change calculated relative to unchallenged control group. Mann-Whitney test was used to verify significant differences. P-values: *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01