Comparison of eye injury of WT and SP-D KO mice after <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> infection in the presence or absence of E₆₄.

<p>Mouse corneal integrity (eye injury) was examined using fluorescein staining method after inoculation of <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> for 24 h. The results show increased fluorescein staining (arrows) in the cornea of SP-D KO mice compared to WT mice. E₆₄ treatment could reduce fluorescein staining in WT mice but not in SP-D KO mice. Corneal fluorescein staining scores in SP-D KO mice were higher than that in WT mice (B). WT, WT mice. KO, SP-D KO mice. The figures shown are from three independent experiments (n = 8 to 10 mice per group). Data are shown as the median (central black bar in boxes) with upper and lower quartiles (boxed area), and range of the data (error bars).* p<0.05 in Mann-Whitney U test.