Depletion of intestinal ATF2 and ATF7 aggravates epithelial damage in response to 2% DSS. (A) Villin-CreERT2-Atf2wt/wtAtf7+/+ (n = 12) and Villin-CreERT2-Atf2fl/flAtf7ko/ko (n = 12) were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg tamoxifen for 5 consecutive days. Animals were provided with drinking water containing 2% DSS for 7 days, starting 7 days after induction of recombination. Mice were killed (†) 2 days after the last DSS administration. (B) Body weight relative to start of DSS exposure. (C) Disease activity score. (D) Histopathology score. (E) Representative images of periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)-stained sections of the colons of a mutant mouse and control. Ulceration is highlighted in red. Scale bar: 750 μm. (F) Quantification of percentage of ulceration related to total colon length. (G) Protein levels of TNF-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)6, and IL10. (B–G) n = 12 mice per group. Graph bars show means and SEM. *P < .05, **P < .01, and ***P < .001, Student t test and (B) Mann–Whitney per each time point was performed.