Mice overexpressing βGalT1 are protected against DSS-induced colitis.

<p>(A) Clinical score and (B) body weight of CT (black, n = 20) and TG (red, n = 20) mice treated with 3% DSS in the drinking water. H&E staining of the colon of (C) CT mice and (D) TG mice after 4 days of DSS treatment. Two representative CT and TG sample are shown. The bar in the left corner represents 50 µm. (E) Colon length of CT mice (black, n = 15) and TG (red, n = 15) mice after 4 days of 3% DSS treatment. (F) Determination of DSS-induced gut permeability in CT (black, n = 17) and TG (red, n = 14) mice. FITC-dextran was administered orally to both groups of mice, 4 days after the start of DSS treatment. Five hours after gavage, blood was taken and fluorescence in plasma was measured. Two control CT and TG mice, not treated with DSS, but only with FITC-dextran were included. Fluorescence in plasma increased due to leakage of FITC-dextran from the intestine into the blood significantly more in CT than TG mice.