FIG 2.

AhR activation increases tight junction protein levels and limits NF-κB activation. The mice were treated with Ficz and E. coli as mentioned above. (A) AhR and Cyp1a1 levels were assessed by Western blotting. (B) Intensity analysis of AhR and Cyp1a1 was performed based on Western blotting (n = 5). (C-D) Uterine occludin and claudin-3 protein levels (C) from indicated mice were determined by Western blotting, and intensity analysis of occludin and claudin-3 (D) was performed based on Western blotting (n = 5). (E-F) Representative images of p65, IκB, p-p65, and p-IκB from different treated groups. (E) Intensity analysis of p-p65 and p-IκB (F) were performed (n = 5). Data are expressed as the mean ± SD, and one-way ANOVA was performed (B, D, and F). *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; and ***, P < 0.001 indicate significant differences. ns, no significance.