Fig. 6
Effect of bovine lactoferrin on the F18+ STEC excretion and immune modulatory effect upon F18+ STEC challenge infection. A Mean faecal excretion of F18+ STEC (log10)/g faeces (± SD). The mean faecal excretion of F18+ STEC was calculated by plating faecal dilutions and confirmed by dot blot analysis. The detection limit is represented by a dotted line at 2 log10 STEC/g faeces. B and C: Effect of bovine lactoferrin on the F18-specific serum antibody levels upon F18+ STEC challenge, B F18-specific IgA and C IgG serum responses. D F18-specific IgA+ antibody secreting cells after oral administration of bovine lactoferrin. ELISpot of F18-specific IgA+ ASCs from PBMCs (left) isolated on −1, 9 and 21 days post infection (dpi) and mononuclear cells isolated from mesenteric lymph nodes (middle) and intestinal tissues (right) at 21 dpi. ASC: antibody secreting cells, bLF: bovine lactoferrin, ILP: ileal lamina propria, IPP: ileal Peyer’s patches, JLP: jejunal lamina propria, JPP: jejunal Peyer’s patches, MLN: mesenteric lymph nodes, PBMC: peripheral blood mononuclear cell. Data was shown as mean ± SD; *Q < 0.05; ∆ Q < 0.05 (n = 3/group)