FIG. 5.
Transcription of cfa and galF gene of K. pneumoniae planktonic cells and biofilms. K. pneumoniae RYC492 was inoculated on polystyrene plates (plastic), or on immobilized human Calu-3 cells (lung) followed by incubation at 37°C for 8 or 24 hr. (A) Planktonic cells or (B) biofilms were harvested, RNA extracted, and used as a template in qRT-PCRs targeting the ecpA or galF gene. Average Ct values were normalized to the rpoD gene, and the fold differences were calculated using the comparative CT method (2−ΔΔCT).38 Graphs show fold changes in mRNA expression of 8 and 24-hr planktonic cells and biofilms, relative to the inoculum. Error bars represent the standard errors of the mean calculated using data from at least two independent experiments. Gene expression on plastic was compared with that on immobilized lung cells using two-tailed Student t test, *p ≤ 0. 05, **p < 0.006.