Role of Tenascin-X in regulating TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in pathogenesis of slow transit constipation

Figure 1 Immunohistochemical staining for c-Kit and Tenascin-X proteins. A: High expression of c-Kit in the normal colon; B: Low expression of c-Kit in the slow transit constipation colon. The arrows indicate interstitial cells of Cajal showing brown-yellow c-Kit staining, suggesting that the number of interstitial cells of Cajal was reduced in the slow transit constipation group (200 ×).

Figure 2 Immunohistochemical staining for c-Kit and Tenascin-X proteins. A and B: Low expression of the Tenascin-X protein in the normal group (200 × and 400 ×, respectively); C and D: High expression of the Tenascin-X protein in the slow transit constipation group (200 × and 400 ×, respectively).

Figure 3 Expression of TNX, TGF-β, Smad2/3, and Smad7 in colon tissue. The change in tenascin-X is consistent with changes in the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. NC: Normal group; STC: Slow-transit constipation group. ^aP < 0.01, ^bP < 0.001.

Figure 4 Expression of TGF-β and Smad2/3 in colon tissue. A and B: Normal group (200 × and 400 ×, respectively); C and D: Slow transit constipation group (200 × and 400 ×, respectively).