LAUSR

achieved endothelial LPP3 (ERT2-LPP3) deficiency in adult mice using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre transgene under the control of the Tyrosine kinase Tek promoter. Previously, we have shown that ERT2-LPP3 mice exhibited a three-fold increase in circulating and tissue levels of LPA. These mice when subjected to 3% DSS colitis over 10 days, showed an intense and significantly increased gut injury characterized by significantly greater disease activity, weight loss, reduced overall survival, occult blood and fecal bleeding in KO animals on DSS; this group also showed a profound cecal enlargement. Gut lengths were significantly shorter in KO/ DSS groups compared to DSS alone; gut weights were not be different. Histopathology, myeloperoxidase and lymphatic/ blood vessel arrangements and vascular densities are currently under investigation to potentially link LPA, vascular remodeling and inflammation severity.