Fig. 3

Colonization of motile/non-motile L. agilis strains in gnotobiotic mice. Gnotobiotic mice colonized by either BKN88 or BKN134 were kept in isolators for 4 weeks. CFU of the bacteria in feces were counted weekly (a). RT-PCR for detection of motility-associated gene-expression in vivo (b). BKN88 (Lane 1–3), BKN134 (Lane 4–6), lane 1 and 4: RT-PCR with total RNA isolated from cecal contents, lane 2 and 5: PCR with total RNA isolated from cecal contents, lane 3 and 6: PCR with chromosomal DNA isolated from bacterial culture grown in MRS-broth. CFU of luminal or mucosal bacteria in gastrointestinal tissues were counted (c). Mean value+SD (n = 4). *P < 0.05