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Fig. 1 | Molecular Brain

Fig. 1

From: Cx3cr1CreERT2-driven Atg7 deletion in adult mice induces intestinal adhesion

Fig. 1

TAM injection induces intestinal adhesion in Cx3cr1CreERT2:Atg7fl/fl mice. a A diagram of the generation of Cx3cr1CreERT2:Atg7fl/fl mice. b Experimental schedule of MACS and intestinal adhesion scoring after TAM injection. c qRT-PCR analyses of the Atg7 mRNA expression levels in microglia, PBMCs, and spleen and intestinal macrophages (n = 3; Mann–Whitney test, ***p < 0.001). d Representative images of Cx3cr1CreERT2:Atg7+/+ and Cx3cr1CreERT2:Atg7fl/fl mice injected with corn oil or TAM. Adhesions between small (S.I) and large intestines (L.I), abdomen wall and intestines, or liver and intestines are marked with white arrowheads. The cartoon drawings below show adhesion locations. e Adhesion score based on Nair’s adhesion scale. TAM-injected Cx3cr1CreERT2:Atg7fl/fl group showed a significantly higher adhesion score than the other groups (n = 6; one-way ANOVA test followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test; F(3,20) = 9.627, *p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01). f Representative images of H&E and Sirius Red stainings. TAM-injected Cx3cr1CreERT2:Atg7fl/fl group showed infiltration of inflammatory cells (shown as blue dots) filling inside of mucosa and submucosa. The inflamed intestine also showed thickening of intestine wall. Furthermore, collagen deposition occurred in submucosa and serosa. g Histological scores. TAM-injected Cx3cr1CreERT2:Atg7fl/fl group showed significantly higher inflammation and fibrosis scores than other groups (n = 4 for corn-oil, n = 6 for TAM; one-way ANOVA test followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test; F(3,16) = 5.139,, *p < 0.05). (H) qRT-PCR analyses of the inflammation and fibrosis genes. Intestine of TAM-injected Cx3cr1CreERT2:Atg7fl/fl group showed a significantly increased gene expression (n = 3; one-way ANOVA test followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test; Col1a1, F(3,20) = 11.3; Col1a2, F(3,20) = 15.6; Tnf, F(3,20) = 6.88, Ccl2, F(3,20) = 11.9, *p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001)

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