Loss of colorectal crypt-villi.

<p><b>A.</b> Histopathological features of the mouse colon in association with colitis. Bar = 1000 µm. From top to bottom: TC-PTP^+/+(WT), TC-PTP^+/− (Het), DSS-treated TC-PTP^+/+(WT-DSS) and DSS-treated TC-PTP^+/− (Het-DSS). In TC-PTP^+/+(WT) crypts are straight and the base of the glands reach the muscularis mucosae. Crypt-villus axes are normal and epithelium layer is intact. In DSS-treated TC-PTP^+/− (Het-DSS) mice ingestion of DSS caused crypt destruction, Numerous neutrophils were present in the section (arrows). Loss of the surface epithelial layer is obvious, while changes in crypt-villus axis and colon tissue architecture are observed. <b>B.</b> The number of crypts per field, field is 1000 µm in colorectal section of bowel. The number of crypts in DSS-treated TC-PTP^+/− (Het-DSS) mice were significantly lower than DSS-treated TC-PTP^+/+ (WT-DSS) mice <i>p</i><0.002. <b>C.</b> Crypts in field, crypts width, crypts height and epithelial height were quantified. Data represent mean and SD of three groups of three animal each (N = 9).