Germ-free mice have a deficient immune response towards <i>E</i>. <i>histolytica</i>.

Amebic colonic loops were performed in germ-free (GF) mice and pro-inflammatory response towards Eh was measured and compared with specific pathogen free (SPF) animals. (A) Relative expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the proximal colon. (B) Relative expression of the transcription factor Math1, and (C) Muc2 in the proximal colon. (D) Myeloperoxidase activity in the proximal and distal colons of SPF and GF mice inoculated with Eh; fold change was compared with untreated SPF mice. (E) Number of filled goblet cells/crypt was blindly counted from the distal and proximal colons in GF and SPF mice. Abx: antibiotics, MPO: myeloperoxidase. n = 6, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.