Fig 6. The experimental setup of CIA induced before PD.

Periods for antibiotics treatment and macroscopic scoring of arthritis are indicated by horizontal lines and arrows, while individual days for immunization, boost, oral application of the pathobionts, as well as stool sampling are shown by vertical arrows. Experimental endpoint was day 105 and assessments of alveolar bone loss and joint histology were only made thereafter. Tables below the graphs summarize the individual experimental groups. Pg: Porphyromonas gingivalis; Aa: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; sham: oral inoculation with PBS/ sodium carboxymethylcellulose.