Fig. 7: Genetic inactivation of A8 in epidermal cells promotes SA colonization and bone destruction in JunB^∆ep digits.

a Representative images of hind paws of control, JunB^∆ep and JunB^∆epS100a8^∆ep mice (top panel) and μCT images of the digits (middle and bottom panels). The black arrow indicates bone destruction in the distal phalanges of JunB^∆epS100a8^∆ep mice. b SA CFUs in the skin of the digits of all 3 group of mice. c Protein levels of A8, A9 and CP in the skin of control (n = 3 < 4), JunB^∆ep (n = 5 < 8) and JunB^∆epS100a8^∆ep (n = 5) digits normalized ([C]/[Cmax]) by row. The maximum absolute value ([Cmax]) in ng/ml is A8: 4.36, A9: 3.22, CP: 5.57. d Percentage of CD45⁺ neutrophils (CD11b⁺, Ly6C⁺, Ly6G⁺) in the skin of control, JunB^∆ep and JunB^∆epS100a8^∆ep digits. e IF of A8- (green) and Ly6G-positive cells (red) in JunB^∆ep and JunB^∆epS100a8^∆ep digits. Nuclei are stained with DAPI. The white arrow indicates A8- and Ly6G-double stained neutrophils. White lines indicate the limits of epidermis. Scale bars, 200μm. f Protein levels of MPO and NE in the skin of control (n = 3), JunB^∆ep (n = 5) and JunB^∆epS100a8^∆ep (n = 5) digits normalized ([C]/[Cmax]) by row. The maximum absolute value ([Cmax]) in ng/ml is MPO: 3.13, NE: 1.70. Dot plots represent mean ± SEM. *p ≤ 0.05, **p ≤ 0.01, ***p ≤ 0.001, ****p ≤ 0.0001. Heat maps represent [C]/[Cmax] means, scaled by row, *p ≤ 0.05, **p ≤ 0.01, ***p ≤ 0.001, compared to control mice and ^#p ≤ 0.05, ^##p ≤ 0.01 compared to JunB^∆ep mice. One-way ANOVA with Fishers’ LSD test was used for statistical grouped analysis.