Figure 4: FNDC4 improves colitis in mice.

DSS-induced colitis model. Mice were administered DSS from day 0 to 5 and were injected with hFc-FNDC4 or hFc control protein on days 0, 2 and 4. N=10 mice per group. This experiment was performed three times (of which the last experiment was blinded, blinding was performed by a colleague not involved in the study) with similar results. (a) DAI (disease activity index). **P<0.001, Mann–Whitney rank test. (b) Colon length. **P<0.001, Student’s T-test. The non-treated (NT) control group consisted of 5 age- and gender-matched controls that did not receive DSS. (c) Body weight curve. *P<0.05, Student’s T-test. (d–e) Gene expression, selected genes. Mean±s.e.m., *P<0.05 and q<0.10; two-sided Student’s T-tests of hFc versus hFc-FNDC4, followed by the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple testing. (f) Histopathology. Colitis severity assessment and representative images. Scores are mean±s.e.m. *P<0.05, Mann–Whitney rank test.