Fig. 4

Inflammatory response of teat explants to TLR-agonists. A–F Time-course and dose-dependent analysis of IL-8 and IL-6 release by ELISA. Explants were exposed to LPS (10, 1 and 0.1 µg/mL) or LTA (10 and 1 µg/mL) and cytokine release was analysed at different intervals post stimulation (0–6 h, 6–18 h and 18–24 h). G–H Explants were treated with LPS (1 µg/mL) or LTA (10 µg/mL) and cytokine release was analysed 24 h post-stimulation. I–J Relative IL-8 (I) and IL-6 (J) mRNA expression in teat explants treated with LPS (1 µg/mL) and LTA (10 µg/mL) for 6 h. Box-plots show data from 4 independent replicates (4 animals, 1 teat/animal), except for G (8 independent replicates (8 animals, 1 teat/animal)). Data were analysed by Kruskal–Wallis test coupled to Dunn’s multiple comparisons test. Asterisks indicate that values differ from control (^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01 and ^***P < 0.001)