Lcn2 expression in response to Salmonella infection. The mRNA expressions of Lcn2 in livers (A) and spleens (B) of solvent-treated and Salmonella-infected Hfe^+/+ and Hfe^−/− mice were studied by quantitative RT-PCR. Data from at least 6 mice per group were log-transformed and compared by ANOVA test with Bonferroni correction. Values are depicted as lower quartile, median, and upper quartile (boxes), and minimum/maximum ranges and statistical significances are indicated. Protein levels of Fpn1, Lcn2 iNOS, Hmox1, and actin in livers (C) and spleens (D) of Hfe^+/+, Hfe^+/−, and Hfe^−/− mice were determined by immunoblot analysis. Apparent molecular weights are indicated on the right-hand side of the respective immunoblots. One of at least 3 representative blots is shown. Lcn2 concentrations in serum samples of Hfe^+/+, Hfe^+/−, and Hfe^−/− mice were measured by a specific ELISA (E). The effect of endogenous Lcn2 in acute-phase sera on bacterial growth was measured as optical density of mid-logarithmic liquid cultures (F).