Figure 4

Mice genetically deficient in IL-13 are more susceptible to acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Mice were given 3.0% DSS in drinking water for 7 days and euthanized at day 8. (A) Body weight change expressed as the percentage of initial body weight at day 0; (B) Clinical disease activity based on stool consistency (0–3), presence of blood in stool (0–2), and general appearance (0–2); (C) Colon length at euthanasia; (D) Representative H&E-stained colon sections (100X); (E) Histological activity index from a total score of epithelial damage (0–4) and immune cell infiltration (0–4); (F) In situ cytokine production in the colon by ELISA. Data are mean ± SEM and are representatives of two independent experiments with five mice per group. *P < 0.05 versus the respective VEH; ϕ P < 0.05 versus respective WT.