Figure 2.

Gene expression patterns (RT-qPCR) of major virulence factors in the three selected isolates (17, 30, 33) 3 h post inoculation: general regulatory proteins, adhesion proteins (MSCRAMMs and SERAMs), immune evasion proteins, toxins, and proteases (a). Gene expression patterns (RT-qPCR) of major immunomodulatory (CCL5, CXCL10 and IL6) and proangiogenic (ICAM) factors in EA.hy926 cells induced by the three selected isolates (17, 30, 33) 8 h post infection (b). The results are displayed as bar charts representing the mean ± SD. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, One-way-ANOVA with Bonferroni posttest; n.d. not detected