[A] Human enteroids treated with LPS demonstrate molecular and structural changes that are similar to NEC. Upregulation of TLR-4 has been reliably shown to occur in human NEC. Day 5 enterocytes treated with LPS were shown to have an increase in RNA expression of TLR-4 (p=0.03). Values are +/− SEM with 6 samples per group.
[B] LPS decreases the amount of budding in enterocytes. Buds (black arrow) are seen on the control enterocyte at Day 6, whereas the LPS treated enterocyte is smooth appearing. Bud counts were performed and a significant decrease was noted (N = 30 in each group, p=0.003). These experiments were repeated with enteroids generated from two different patient samples.