Fig. 3

RT-qPCR validation of selected, differentially expressed genes. a Differential expression of selected genes validated by RT-qPCR, where all samples were above the detection limit. Shown are delta-Ct values relative to the housekeeping gene, where bars indicate the mean ± standard error margins of four biological replicates; stars indicate significance values: ***: p < 0.001; **: p < 0.01. b RT-qPCR of selected genes, where at least one sample was below the detection limit. Depicted are delta-Ct values relative to the housekeeping gene, where bars indicate the mean ± 95 % confidence interval of four biological replicates. n.d.: not detectable. Note that the confidence limits do not overlap the detection limit, i.e., the horizontal line at −9.05