FIG. 5.

Infection with REPEC or the EspA mutant increases TNF-α mRNA expression in the intestinal mucosa but not in the spleen. Groups of rabbits were infected as described in the legend to Fig. 4. Total RNA was isolated from spleen lymphocytes (A), PP lymphocytes (B), and small intestinal enterocytes (C). TNF-α mRNA expression was assessed by RT-PCR. Data analysis was performed as described in the legend to Fig. 4. The results are expressed as the means and SDs from five rabbits per experimental condition. Gel bands are shown below the bars. Single and double asterisks indicate P values of <0.05 and <0.03, respectively, for a comparison with the control group (PBS).