Figure 4.

Vitamin D signaling maintains the steady expression of Paneth cell defensins and their converting enzyme, MMP7. (A) Expression of defensins in the ileum by the mice under the four feeding conditions was determined by RT-qPCR analysis. (B) Immunohistochemical staining of the ileal region for DEFA1, and immunofluorescent staining for MMP7 in the crypts of Lieberkühn. Data (n = 4–10 mice/group for each measurement) are presented as mean ± standard error. Comparison was conducted by t-test between the experimental groups with the control, and ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01. ^#indicates the impact of vitamin D.