Bhlhe40^-/- and Bhlhe40^fl/fl-Cd4-Cre mice exhibit delayed bacterial clearance following Chlamydia muridarum intravaginal infection.

(A-B) WT and Bhlhe40^-/- mice were infected intravaginally with 1×10⁵ C. muridarum. Bacterial shedding from the lower female reproductive tract (FRT) (A) and percentage of bacterial clearance (B) were monitored by vaginal swabs. Data are combined results of three independent experiments with 12 to 14 mice per group. (C) Bhlhe40^fl/fl and Bhlhe40^fl/fl-Cd4-Cre mice were infected intravaginally with 1×10⁵ C. muridarum. Bacterial shedding was monitored by vaginal swabs. Data are combined results of two independent experiments with 7 to 10 mice per group. Each data point represents an individual mouse. Error bars represent the mean ± SEM. ****p < 0.0001 by two-way ANOVA and **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 by ANOVA multiple comparisons in (A) and (C); ****p < 0.0001 by Log-rank in (B).