Fig. 2: Mice with Pseudomonas-induced VAP showed reduction in local inflammatory mediators, but not immune cells in alveolar spaces after phage treatment.

a Level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 (pg/mL), IL-23 (pg/mL), TNFα (pg/mL), and IL-1α (pg/mL) in BALF of mice with VAP analyzed at 24 hpi. b Percentages, c total cell numbers and d representative dot plots of leukocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and alveolar macrophages (alvM) in half lungs (left) and BALC of mice with VAP analyzed at 24 hpi by flow cytometry. For full gating strategy and cell type identifying markers see Supplementary Fig. S1. Results are shown as box plots depicting median, quartiles, and range, as determined by a ordinary one-way ANOVA or b, c two-way ANOVA with Tukey´s multiple comparisons test: *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; n = 6–8 mice per group (Control group n = 6; Meropenem group n = 8; Phages group n = 7 (except Phages group BALC n = 5, technical loss of n = 2); Combination group n = 7). Color coding for groups: Control group: white, Meropenem group: green, Phages group: blue; Combination group: orange. Dotted lines represent the detection limit, respectively. BALF, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; BALC, BAL cells; IL, interleukin, VAP, ventilator-associated pneumonia. P-values were adjusted for multiple testing, exact p-values in order of appearance: a IL-6: Control vs. Phages: p = 0.0082, Control vs. Combination: p = 0.0143, IL-23: Control vs. Phages: p = 0.007, Control vs. Combination: p = 0.0247, IL-1α: Control vs. Meropenem: p = 0.0073, Control vs. Phages: p = 0.01, Control vs. Combination: p = 0.0043, TNF: Control vs. Meropenem: p = 0.0412, Control vs. Phages: p = 0.0123, Control vs. Combination: p = 0.0126. b alvM (%): Control vs. Combination: p = 0.0364. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.