Figure 5. SAMP ilea differentially express TNFRs, which are essential to the effects of VSL#3-CM and TNF.

(A), TNFRI and II mRNA expression measured by qRT-PCR was decreased in freshly isolated IEC from 4-wk-old SAMP prior to the onset of inflammation, but increased in >20-wk-old SAMP with established disease compared to age-matched AKR control mice (N = 6/exp grp). *p<0.05 and **p<0.01. (B), Epithelial paracellular permeability was assessed by measuring ΔTEER on ex vivo cultured full-thickness ilea from mice deficient in both TNFRI and TNFRII (TNFR KO) and WT controls after 1 h exposure to VSL#3-CM or TNF (N = 6/exp grp). *p<0.05 vs. WT vehicle cont.