Figure 5

The expression of GATA-4, GATA-6, and Ihh in gastrointestinal mucosa in a) longitudinal and b) crypt-villus axes. A summary based on immunohistochemical results: (a) GATA-4 expression diminishes towards the distal end, whereas GATA-6 expression shows only little reduction in the longitudinal axis. Ihh is present very modestly along the gastrointestinal tract, except for the strong expression in the stomach. The expression patterns are based on the number of positive cells detected and the intensity of staining: – no expression, + individual positive cells or small areas with low expression, ++ patches of moderate expression, +++ large areas of moderate or strong expression, ND not detected. (b) GATA-4, GATA-6, and Ihh expression are presented in columns divided into three mucosal layers: surface layer (Sur), middle layer (Mid) and base (Bas). Each section of the GI tract is represented (STO = stomach, DUO = duodenum, ILE = ileum, COL = colon). The intensity of the color demonstrates the intensity of expression along the crypt villus-axis. White depicts undetectable expression.