(A) qPCR analysis of colon bacterial load in wild-type mice and Hfe^−/− mice. Data show mean values (±SEM) for six mice per group. (B) The colony formation units (CFU) counts of total bacteria recovered from wild-type mouse colon and Hfe^−/− mouse colon. Bacterial load is expressed as the number of CFU per gram of colon tissue. Data show mean values (±SEM) for three mice per group. (C) Number of bacteria attached to the colonic epithelial cells surface, as assessed by staining for Gram-negative bacteria. Data show mean values (±SEM) for five mice per group. (D) Visualization of bacterial adherence onto Hfe^−/− mouse colon lumen by utilizing scanning electron microscopy. **P < 0.01.