Fig 3. Mice immunized with 4X-SA-GP have enhanced protection against S. aureus infection.

(A) Experimental timeline of 1 vaccination and S. aureus infection model. (B and C) Wild-type female mice (n = 5 per immunization group: PBS, Empty-GP, 4X-SA-GP) were infected i.p. with 2x10⁷ CFUs of S. aureus (LAC USA300) 4 weeks after the one vaccination. Bacteria from the spleen (B) and kidneys (C) were recovered after 24 hours and CFUs were enumerated. (D) Experimental timeline of 3 vaccinations and S. aureus infection model. (E and F) Wild-type female mice (n = 10 per immunization group: PBS, Empty-GP, 4X-SA-GP) were infected i.p. with 2x10⁷ CFUs of S. aureus (LAC USA300) 4 weeks after the third and final vaccination. Bacteria from the spleen (E) and kidneys (F) were recovered after 24 hours and CFUs were enumerated. Each data point represents an individual mouse. Data analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test ((B) = 0.02, (C) = 0.14, (E) = 0.003, (F) = 0.001) and Mann-Whitney U test. **p<0.01, ***p<0.001, ****p<0.0005; ns, not significant. Data in (B) and (C) are representative of two experiments, data in (E) and (F) are representative of three experiments.