Fig. 3: EI reduces the EC turnover in aged flies.

Representative images (a) and intensity statistics (b–d) of upd3-LacZ, 10XSTAT-GFP, and vn-LacZ in the midgut of 25 d UT and EI (bleomycin-fed for 24 h at 4 d) flies. n, number of scored cells. e–g upd3, vn and socs36E mRNA fold change in UT and EI midgut at 5 d and 25 d. n = 3 independent experiments. h Schematic illustration of the EC labeling and tracing in the aged midgut after the EI. EC labeling is achieved by transient expression of H2B-RFP in ECs using Myo1A^ts > H2B-RFP for 24 h. Representative images (i) and cartoon illustrations (j) of tracing of ECs by the transiently labeled H2B-RFP in UT and EI midguts at 45 d, 48 d and 50 d. Newly generated ECs are RFP^- and visualized by the large polyploid DAPI staining. k Statistics of the ratio of RFP⁺ ECs to total ECs in selected areas (10000 μm²) of UT and EI posterior midguts. n, numbers of regions. UT: n = 22 (45 d); 25 (48 d); 26 (50 d), EI: n = 21 (45 d); 22 (48 d); 19 (50 d). Data are mean ± SEM. Significance was determined using two-tailed unpaired t test. Scale bars, 20 μm. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.