Figure 3
Target molecules involved in localization of TW295 in the liver.
(a) In vitro phagocytosis rates of various S. mutans. MT8148GD is an isogenic mutant strain of MT8148 with defection of glucose from the side chains; it has similar glucose side chains to TW295 (serotype k). Each column represents the mean ± SEM from 3 independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined using Student’s t-test. MT8148 versus MT8148GD; **p = 0.0071, MT8148 versus TW295; *p = 0.0134, respectively. (b) Collagen-binding activity of various strains of S. mutans. The activity was evaluated under the fixed condition of 2 mg of type I collagen and 1x1010 bacterial cells. The results for each strain are expressed as a percentage based on TW871 as 100%. TW295CND is a mutant strain from TW295 with a defect in the expression of CBP. Each column represents the mean ± SEM from 3 independent experiments. (c) Adhesion of TW295 or MT8148 to Huh-7 hepatocytes. Each column represents the mean ± SEM from 6 independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined using Student’s t-test. **p = 0.00914. (d) Decrease in adherent cells of TW295CND, CBP-defect strain generated from TW295, to Huh-7 hepatocytes. Each column represents the mean ± SEM from 4 independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined using Student’s t-test. MT8148 versus TW295; *p = 0.0157, TW295 versus TW295CND; *p = 0.0328, respectively. (e) DAI of TW295CND-administered mice and other S. mutans strains. Each column represents the mean ± SEM from 12–18 different animals. Statistical significance was determined using Bonferroni’s method after ANOVA. *p < 0.05. (f) Survival rate of TW295-administered mice and other S. mutans strains. Each column represents the mean from 12–18 different animals (**p < 0.01).
