Figure 1

Vimentin inhibits the killing of E. coli.

(A). Vim KO (n = 7) and WT mice (n = 4) were injected IP with a lethal dose of E. coli. Blood samples collected 3 and 9 hours after injection were cultured for CFU (bacterial counts) (*P < 0.05 and **P < 0.05, respectively). Data are representative of two independent experiments. (B). Survival curves generated using the log-rank test represent cumulative results obtained in two independent experiments (total Vim KO mice n = 11, total WT mice n = 10). * P < 0.05. (C, D). PM derived from Vim KO and WT mice were challenged with E. coli. Bacterial phagocytosis (C) and killing assays (D) were conducted as detailed in the Material and Methods section. * P < 0.05. Data represent the average of two independent experiments ± SEM of samples derived from a total of 7 mice.