Fig. 2

Increased morbidity and mortality of TLR1^−/− and TLR2^−/− mice due to C. albicans and DSS-induced colitis. a Schematic representation of the experimental procedure. A single inoculum of 10⁷ C. albicans was administered to mice on day 1 and low doses of DSS (1.5%) were given in the drinking water for 2 weeks. A total of 120 mice were divided into eight groups composed of wild-type DSS (WT D, n = 10), wild-type C. albicans and DSS (WT CaD, n = 20), TLR1^−/− D (n = 10), TLR1^−/− CaD (n = 20), TLR2^−/− D (n = 10), TLR2^−/− CaD (n = 20), TLR6^−/− D (n = 10), and TLR6^−/− CaD (n = 20) mice. b–d Mouse body weight. Data are the mean ± SE of two independent experiments. ⁺ P<0.05 for TLR-deficient CaD mice versus wild-type D mice. *P < 0.05 for TLR-deficient CaD mice versus wild-type CaD mice. e Mouse survival. Results are expressed as percent survival from the time of C. albicans challenge and DSS treatment. The survival data were significantly different by the log-rank test (P < 0.05). f Clinical analysis of DSS-induced colitis in mice. Clinical score was determined by assessing weight loss, change in stool consistency and presence of gross bleeding. The clinical score ranged from 0 to 8 (each value corresponds to the mean value of 14 days per group). ⁺ P<0.05 for TLR1^−/− DSS (d) and TLR2^−/− D mice versus wild-type (WT) D mice; and *P < 0.05 for TLR1^−/− C. albicans and DSS (CaD) and TLR2^−/− CaD mice versus wild-type CaD mice. g Histologic scores. Mice were exposed to 1.5% DSS in drinking water for 14 days. Scores range from 0 (no changes) to 6 (extensive cell infiltration and tissue damage). *P < 0.05 for TLR1^−/− CaD and TLR2^−/− CaD mice versus wild-type CaD mice