Figure 4. Lcn2 expression provides a survival advantage to Lactis^Lcn2 in the inflamed gut.

DSS-induced colitic female WT mice (n=6) were orally administered with Lactis^Lcn2 or Lactis^Con. (A) Fecal shedding collected at 48, 72 and 96 h post-inoculation were plated on selective M17 plates containing erythromycin. Bacterial load in the (B) colonic mucosa and (C) cecal content were measured on selective M17 plates. (D) Lcn2 expression in the cell lysates of Lactis^Lcn2 recovered from colitic mice feces (96 h, DSS+Lactis^Lcn2) was assayed by immunoblotting. Mouse recombinant (rec)-Lcn2 and the parent stock of Lactis^Lcn2 were used as positive controls for the Lcn2 immunoblot. (E) Lactis^Lcn2 or Lactis^Con recovered from colitic mice were subjected to the indicated concentration of H₂O₂ in vitro. All experiments were performed in triplicates and are representative of three independent experiments. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05.