Fig. 1.

Fiaf-deficient mice have blood-filled small intestinal villi. (A) A P12 Fiaf−/− mouse (mixed 129/SvJ:B6 genetic background) exhibits cachexia and a protuberant abdomen compared with its Fiaf+/+ littermate. (B) Small intestine of the P12 Fiaf−/− animal shown in A appears bright red, thickened, and foreshortened. These gross abnormalities terminate abruptly at the ileal–cecal junction (arrows). S, stomach. (C) Whole-mount preparation of small intestines from the mice in A, demonstrating blood-filled Fiaf−/− villi. (Scale bars: 1 mm.) (D) Increased small intestine-to-body weight ratio in P6–P10 Fiaf−/− mice (n = 11) compared with Fiaf+/+ and Fiaf+/− littermates (n = 20) (P < 0.001). Mean values ± SE are plotted.