Fig. 3

Variation in IgM expression over time as a response to S. molnari infection of common carp, estimated by differential TaqMan qPCR assays based on the variable carboxy terminus of the IgM heavy chain of membrane bound monomeric IgM (IgMmem) and secretory tetrameric IgM (IgMsec), shown in box plots (fold change expression relative to the control group, left x-axis). Statistical analyses are based on data-specific LMM developed in R with significance differences shown relative to other sampling days (numbers above box plot; significance levels detailed in supplemental data 3). Box plots show mean ± standard deviation (box) with maximum and minimum ranges (lines). The red line indicates the presence of S. molnari-specific IgM as measured by the intensity of fluorescence (right x-axis) of a 16 kDa parasite band of parasite lysates electrophorized on protein gels, blotted and exposed to sera of infected fish and labelled with anti-carp IgM antibody; right bottom corner: Coomassie-stained gel (blue) and immunoblot (black and white) identifying the 16kDa IgM-binding parasite protein. Abbreviations: M, marker; PL, parasite lysate; WB, western blot