FIG 5.

TGF-β1 prevents IEC-6 cell proliferation deficits induced by C. difficile TcdA. IEC-6 cells were incubated for 24 h in culture medium (control) with TcdA (10 ng/ml), TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml), or TcdA plus TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml). TcdA treatment decreased the number of proliferative Ki67⁺ cells, and concomitant treatment with TGF-β1 rescued the decrease in TcdA-induced proliferation (C, D, and E). TGF-β1 alone did not affect proliferation (B and E). *, P < 0.05 (ANOVA and Bonferroni's test). Scale bar: 100 μm.