Figure 3

Intestinal Foxp3 expression in dogs without gastrointestinal diseases. Without consideration of their age, numbers of lamina propria Foxp3-positive lymphocytes were significantly increased in the villus compared to the basal crypt area as well as the villus-crypt junction and the density of Foxp3-positive lymphocytes was significantly higher in the basal crypt area than in the villus-crypt junction (A-C). In the colon, Foxp3-positive cells were increased in the basal crypt area compared to the apical part (D). Regarding the villus, lamina propria Foxp3-positive cells were significantly decreased in the jejunum and the ileum compared to the duodenum in healthy dogs disregarding their age (E). Concerning age-related changes, numbers of villus Foxp3-positive lymphocytes were significantly increased in middle-aged dogs compared to juvenile as well as old animals in the duodenum and the jejunum (F-G). In contrast, age-related changes were absent in the ileum (H). vi = villus. cry-b = basal crypt area. jun = villus-crypt junction. cry-a = apical crypt area. duo = duodenum. jej = jejunum. ile = Ileum. 1 = juvenile. 2 = middle-aged. 3 = old. * = p < 0.05. *** = p < 0.001.