Effect of <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> virulence factors on inflammatory responses.

<p>Eyes of C57BL/6 mice (4–6 per group) were inoculated with indicated dose of heat-killed <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> (HKSA) (5X10⁵ CFU/eye), its cell wall components (PGN and LTA; 0.1μg each), and cell surface and secreted proteins (SPA, TSST, and α-toxin; 0.1μg each). After 24h, eyes (n = 6) were enucleated and subjected to ELISA, eyes injected with PBS served as controls. Statistical analysis was performed by using one way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multi-comparison test. *p <0.05, **p <0.005, ***p<0.0005.