Validation of key pathway genes of RNA seq transcriptome data by qRT-PCR. qRT-PCR of expression in the intestinal epithelium of gut remodeling genes – α-fetoprotein (Afp) (A), γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor, subunit α 1(Gabra1) (B), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1) (C), and protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type Z, polypeptide 1(Ptprz1) (D). qRT-PCR of expression of immune response genes– chitinase-like 1 (Chil1) (E), Annexin A8 (Anxa8) (F), RAS protein activator-like 1 (GAP1 like) (Rasal1) (G), and serine (or cysteine) peptidase inhibitor, clade A, member 3 N (Serpina3n) (H). qRT-PCR of expression of gut differentiation genes – enterocyte marker, sucrase isomaltase (Sis) (I), enteroendocrine marker, chromogranin A (ChgA) (J), cell proliferation gene, Homoebox 7 (Hoxb7) (K), epithelial cells membrane protein (Emp1) (L). qRT-PCR of expression of energy metabolism and other genes – oxoacid CoA transferase 1 (Oxct1) (M), vanin1 (Vnn1) (N), chloride channel accessory 4 (Clca4a) (O), and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule (Ceacam2) (P) in neonatal control and NEC mice without or with ST266 administration. Each dot on the graph represents a different mouse. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons tests using GraphPad Prism 9 software. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, *** or ****P < 0.001. NEC, necrotizing enterocolitis.