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

Figure 6 Modulation of connexin 43 and ten-eleven translocation-2 expression in human colon tissues under pathological conditions. A: Hematoxylin and eosin images of human colon tissues. Compared to normal (histopathologically unchanged) samples, tissues from inflamed (ulcerative colitis) and sporadic malignant colons show disorganization of colon crypts and infiltration of immune cells within the lamina propria. Scale bar 50 μm; B: Immunofluorescence images of CD68⁺ cells (macrophages) and connexin 43 (Cx43) show that Cx43 expression increases in inflamed tissues. Scale bar 10 μm; C: Immunofluorescence images of ten-eleven translocation-2 (TET-2) in human colon tissues (upper panel: Low magnification; lower panel: Higher magnification). TET-2 protein was minimally detected in ulcerative colitis and colon adenocarcinoma tissues. Scale bar 10 μm; D: Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) analyses reflecting the expression of CD68, Cx43, and TET-2. One-way ANOVA, ^bP < 0.005; ^dP < 0.0001. MFI: Mean fluorescence intensity; TET: Ten-eleven translocation.