Research Paper Volume 10, Issue 12 pp 3851—3865

Figure 6. The decrease of Cx43 protein expression in the mouse GI tract with aging. Expressions of Cx43 within GI longitudinal muscle layer of 2-, 12-, 16-, 20- and 24-mo-old mice were examined by western blotting, and the decline in Cx43 expression was seen from 16 mo in all three organs (A-C). The densitometric analysis of protein expressions normalized to β-actin. Confocal images (D) of double immunofluorescence labelling for Cx43 (green) and c-kit (red) displayed that Cx43-puncta distributed throughout MP of colon, and some co-localized with ICCs (arrows), and in 16- and 24-mo-old mice, Cx43-puncta per field was significantly sparse compared with 2-mo-old mice, prior to the reduction in c-kit-positive area in 24-mo-old mice (D-F). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and data were represented as mean ± SD, statistical significance is: ### P < 0.001 compared with 2-mo-old group; * P < 0.05, *** P < 0.001 compared with previous group; n=5 mice per group. Abbreviation: Sto, stomach; Jej, jejunum; Co, colon.