Fig. 5

Microbiota transferred from antibiotic-treated neonatal SPF mice to germ-free Nod2^−/− mice increases DSS colitis severity. Water-treated (W-MB) or antibiotic-treated (A-MB) microbiota from the cecum was collected from SPF Nod2^−/− mice at 21 days of age, and transplanted into age-matched germ-free Nod2^−/− mice. Recipient mice were left alone for 5 weeks and then challenged with DSS colitis. a Experimental timeline. Germ-free Nod2^−/− mice received either water-treated (W-MB) or antibiotic-treated (A-MB) microbiota at weaning (day 21). At 8 weeks old (day 56), DSS colitis was induced using 2.5% w/v DSS in non-acidified drinking water. b Weight of male and female W-MB and A-MB recipients on day 56. c Percent of initial weight over time. d Fecal lipocalin-2 concentration was measured by ELISA and normalized to stool weight. e Colon length, measured on day 8. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, ****p < 0.0001; by two-way ANOVA and post hoc Holm–Šídák test (b–d), and Mann–Whitney U test (e). (W-MB n = 4, A-MB n = 4, W-MB+DSS n = 4, A-MB+DSS n = 4)