Fig. 4

STAT3 mRNA and phosphorylated protein expression. a Expression level of STAT3 mRNA in duodenal biopsies of controls (n = 8), Marsh 3AB (n = 8) and Marsh 3C (n = 12) celiac pediatric patients. Data obtained by quantitative PCR are represented as fold change compared to an external sample. The box plots show median value and the 25 and 75 percentiles, whiskers the maximum and minimum value. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. b Western blot image of STAT3 phosphorylated on serine 727 and actin levels in controls and CD patients and c relative densitometric analysis (n = 7 controls, n = 7 Marsh 3AB and n = 8 Marsh 3C)