Bacterial loads and cytokine levels are elevated in lungs from Mincle^−/− mice following <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> infection.

<p>(A) Viable bacterial numbers in the lungs of wild-type (WT) and Mincle^−/− mice (n≥4) were determined at the indicated time points following <i>mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (Mtb) infection. Mean log colony-forming units (CFUs) per lung (±SEM) are shown. (B–E) TNFα (B), IL-6 (C), IFNγ (D), and IL-1β (E) levels were measured in the lungs of WT and Mincle^−/− mice at the indicated time points following virulent Mtb strain Erdman infection. Statistical significance is shown relative to WT for each group. *p<0.05. (F) Histology of Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained lung tissues from Mtb-infected WT and Mincle^−/− mice. Original magnification was 4×. Scale bars represent 500 µm.