<p>Scatterplots of log-transformed fold changes of transcripts by RT-qPCR illustrate the relationship of <i>IL23A</i> with both <i>IL8</i> (panel A) and <i>EBI3</i> (panel B) transcripts after infection with different <i>H. pylori</i> strains using pair-wise Spearmen’s <i>rho</i> correlations. Robust regression line using an M estimator was plotted as well (red line). BCM-300, P1, M1, and M2 are <i>H. pylori</i> strains. Both BCM-300 and P1 (wild-type) are CagA strains, whereas M1 and M2 are P1-derived isogenic mutants lacking CagA and VirB7, respectively. BCM-300+Fi is infection with <i>H. pylori</i> BCM-300 bacteria after application of 0.22µm filter cap to prevent any physical contact with the cells, while permitting their secretory factors to pass through. Asterisks represent the significance levels (*P<.05, **<.01, ***<.001).</p
