Caspase-11 Modulates Inflammation and Attenuates Toxoplasma gondii Pathogenesis

Figure 2

Casp11^−/− mice exhibit reduced susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Wild type, Casp11^−/−, and Asc^−/− mice were infected with 1,000 Toxoplasma gondii Me49 tachyzoites via i.p. administration. Morbidity and mortality were monitored daily. (a) Kaplan-Meier plot of WT, Asc^−/−, and Casp11^−/− mice survival. Mice were considered moribund when weight loss was sustained at or below −15% from baseline and/or clinical parameters necessitated euthanasia. (b) Weight loss was evaluated daily and the percent change from baseline for each animal was calculated. Data shown reflect 1–14 days after inoculation due to the significantly reduced survival of the wild type and Asc^−/− mice at day 15. (c) Casp11^−/− mice demonstrate significantly attenuated clinical parameters associated with disease progression. The clinical score is a composite of scores associated with weight loss, clinical condition, and behavior. . Wild type mock, ; Asc^−/− mock, ; Casp11^−/− mock, ; wild type Tg, ; Asc^−/− Tg, ; Casp11^−/− Tg, . Data shown are representative of 3 independent studies.

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