965 The Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis: Gender and Region-Specific Effects of the Microbiome on Central Neurotransmitter and Neurotrophin Levels

proliferation in disease models including the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and azoxyme-thane(AOM)/DSS colitis induced carcinogenesis models. In colon myofibroblasts, epi deletion results in a marked decrease in Hhip mRNA, suggesting that epimorphin modulates Hh signaling. Aims: 1. Determine the effect of epi deletion on hedgehog signaling in colon myofibroblasts 2. Evaluate Ihh expression in AOM/DSS-treated dysplastic WT and epi -/-colons. Methods: Colon myofibroblasts were incubated with Sonic hedgehog (Shh, which is functionally equivalent to Ihh; 0.9 μg/ml) for 24 h and Hh end target (Hhip, Gli1, Patch1) mRNA expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR. Ihh expression in dysplastic and adjacent non-dysplastic descending colons of AOM/DSS treated mice was evaluated by immunohisto-chemistry . Results: Expression of Hh end-targets [Hhip (3.5 fold, p