FIG 7.

DKA host factors increase nasal epithelial cell GRP78 expression and host cell susceptibility to R. delemar-mediated invasion and damage. (A) Nasal epithelial cells were incubated with physiologically elevated concentrations of glucose, iron, or BHB for 5 h, and GRP78 gene expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). Elevated concentrations of glucose, iron, or BHB significantly enhanced R. delemar-mediated nasal epithelial cell invasion (B) and damage (C). Fold changes were calculated by comparison to the lowest concentration of the exogenous factors used. Data are expressed as medians ± interquartile ranges from 3 independent experiments.