Mast cell deficiency exacerbates inflammatory bowel symptoms in interleukin-10-deficient mice

Figure 1 Mast cell deficiency aggravated colitis in the colon of interleukin-10-deficient mice. A: Pathological score; B: mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines; C: Relative IL-1β protein content; D: NF-κB p65 inflammatory signaling; E: Relative myeloperoxidase content in colonic tissue; F: Goblet cell density. Mean ± SE, ^aP < 0.05, DKO vs IL-10-deficient, ^bP < 0.01, DKO vs IL-10-deficient, n = 8 for mRNA analysis, n = 10 for others. IL: Interleukin; DKO: Double knockout; MPO: Myeloperoxidase; NF-κB: Nuclear factor κB.

Figure 2 Oxidative stress in the colon tissue of interleukin-10-deficient and double knockout mice. A: Colonic glutathione concentration was measured by GSH/GSSG recycling assay; B: mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Mean ± SE, ^aP < 0.05, DKO vs IL-10-deficient, n = 8. IL: Interleukin; DKO: Double knockout.

Figure 3 Mast cell deficiency exaggerated mucosal damage in interleukin-10-deficient. A: In vivo intestinal paracellular permeability; B: mRNA expression of Claudin-2 and Claudin-3; C: Relative protein content of Claudin-2, Claudin-3, phosphorylation of MLC-2 and CK2α in colonic tissues. Mean ± SE, ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, DKO vs IL-10-deficient, n = 8 for mRNA analysis, n = 10 for western blotting analysis. IL: Interleukin; DKO: Double knockout.

Figure 4 Abundance of selected fecal microflora in interleukin-10-deficient and double knockout mice. Mean ± SE, ^aP < 0.05, DKO vs IL-10-deficient, n = 8. IL: Interleukin; DKO: Double knockout.

Figure 5 Systemic inflammation in interleukin-10-deficient and double knockout mice. A: Body weight; B: Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ level; C: Glucose tolerance test; D: Circulatory free fatty acids. Mean ± SE, ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, n = 8. IL: Interleukin; DKO: Double knockout; FFA: Free fatty acid.