Fig. 7: Administration of AREG rescues Ifnar1^−/−Ifnlr1^−/− mice from experimental DSS-induced colitis and restores colonic regeneration.

a–c 6–8-week-old WT and Ifnar1^−/−Ifnlr1^−/− were exposed to 1.5% DSS in drinking water for 7 days, followed by regular water. On days 5, 7, 9, and 11, Ifnar1^−/−Ifnlr1^−/− mice were administered AREG (5.0 μg) or PBS as a control by IP injection, and the animals were monitored daily for survival (a) (n = 5). b, c On day 11, mice were euthanized (n = 5) and proliferation of epithelial cells in the colon was evaluated by IHC staining for Ki-67. Symbols in b represent the number of Ki-67⁺ cells per crypt (five crypt/slide/animal; n = 5). c Representative images. Scale bars are 100 μM. Data are representative of two independent experiments. Quantitative data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparisons test and represent mean values with SEM. ****P ≤ 0.0001.