FIG. 9.
Expression of collagens in the gut of Imp1−/− mice. (A) Quantitative RT-PCR was used to verify the changes in collagen, Hsp47, and trefoil factor 2 mRNA levels observed in the microarray analysis. The asterisk indicates that collagen type XV α1 exhibited a P value of only 0.07 in the microarray analysis. The lower panel shows the threefold dilution curve (left) and the relative expression of collagen type I α2 in Imp1+/− and Imp1−/− mice (right). (B) Colon sections from 1-month-old Imp1+/− and Imp1−/− mice were analyzed for collagen by staining with saturated picric acid solution containing acid fuchsin (a and b). Collagen fibers are shown in red. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect collagen type XV α1 in small intestine sections from 1-month-old Imp1+/− and Imp1−/− mice (c and d). Bars: a and b, 100 μm; c and d, 35 μm.