As seen for IgG-opsonized RBC, pre-infection with EPEC strains had no impact on the attachment of C3bi-opsonized RBC, suggesting that translocated EspJ does not interfere with surface expression of the phagocytic receptors (FcγR and CR3 respectively) but instead with a regulatory mechanism essential for both CR3- and FcγR-dependent uptake. This evidence concerns the gene CRIPTO3 and infection.