Figure 2. Effect of epithelial cell-specific PPAR γ deletion on disease severity.

PPAR γ flfl; Villin Cre+ (VC+) or PPAR γ flfl; Villin Cre- (VC-) mice in a mixed FVB/C57BL/6J (FVB) or C57BL/6J (B6) background were treated with 2.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or water (no DSS) for 7 days. The disease activity index (DAI), a composite score reflecting clinical signs of the disease (i.e. perianal soiling, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and piloerection) was assessed daily (A and C) and the average daily loss in body weights (B and D) throughout the 7-day DSS challenge was calculated. Data are represented as mean ± standard error. Points with an asterisk are significantly different (P<0.05).