Figure 3.

CRI Disrupts tight junction protein localization. Sections of terminal ileum from sham, burn alone, radiation alone and CRI were examined by immunofluorescence at 24 (a-d), 48 (e-h) and 72 hr (i-l). Frozen ileum sections were stained with antibodies against occludin (green) as well as phalloidin (red) and nuclei (blue), examined at an original magnification of 400×, and photographed. Colocalization (yellow) occurs at interfaces between gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Decreased colocalization is evident in animals exposed to radiation, either alone or combined with burn. Most severe decreases occurred at 24 and 48 hr post injury in both groups (c, d, g, h). Radiation alone had improved staining by 72 hr post injury (k), whereas CRI remains diminished (l). Images are representative of n=4-8 animals per injury group at each time point. Scales in each image panel represent a distance of 20 μm at that specific magnification.