Figure 4.
ATF3 enhances macrophage bacterial clearance independent of M1/M2 macrophages. WT and ATF3 KO mice were challenged with 5 × 106 S. aureus colony forming units (CFU) and sacrificed 12 h later for subsequent functional analysis. (A, B) BMDM cells and RAW264.7 cells were infected with S. aureus for the indicated time periods. The cells were then lysed, and ATF3 protein levels were examined by immunoblotting. (C) Lungs obtained from S. aureus-infected mice for indicated time points were homogenized and ATF3 protein expression were measured by immunoblotting. (D–G) Macrophages derived from WT and ATF3 KO mice were infected with S. aureus for the indicated time periods, and cytokine levels in the cell supernatants were determined by ELISA. (H-K) WT and ATF3 KO mice were challenged with 5 × 106 CFUs of S. aureus and sacrificed 6 h later for the subsequent functional analysis. The levels of BALF cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12) were detected by ELISA. ***P < 0.001.