Expression of the methylcytosine dioxygenase ten-eleven translocation-2 and connexin 43 in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer

Figure 3 Dextran sulfate sodium treatment disrupts the integrity and permeability of intestinal epithelial barrier, notably in HT-29 connexin 43^- cells. A: Light microscopy images of HT-29 cells in the presence or absence of 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Scale bar 50 μm; B: The membrane integrity of parental HT-29, HT-29 connexin 43-Dendra (Cx43D), and HT-29 Cx43^- cells in the presence or absence of 2% DSS was measured by trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Bar graphs indicate average TEER measurements; C: Membrane permeability was evaluated by Evans Blue permeability assay in all three cell subsets. Levels of Evans Blue that crossed are measured by spectrophotometry and are plotted as means over time; D: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction data show that transcriptional levels of Cx43 and ten-eleven translocation-2 (TET-2) significantly increase in DSS-treated cells. All experiments have been repeated at least three times. Two-way ANOVA, ^aP < 0.05; ^bP < 0.001; ^cP < 0.0005. Cx43: Connexin 43; DSS: Dextran sulfate sodium; TEER: Trans-epithelial electrical resistance.