FIG. 2.

Adherence of S. aureus to subendothelial ECM (A) and EC (B). [³H]thymidine-labeled bacteria (2 × 10⁸ CFU) were placed on the surfaces and incubated for 20 min at 37°C under static or flow conditions. Samples were washed, and adherent bacteria were solubilized with 2% SDS. Data are means ± SD for four to six determinations performed in duplicate. ∗, P < 0.01; ∗∗, P < 0.001 for mutants compared to the wild type (WT).