We found that expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin, two proteins critical for maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and function, was markedly reduced in the ileum of wild-type mice subjected to NEC as revealed by western blot analysis, whereas Parp1-deficient mice partially reversed NEC-downregulated E-cadherin and β-catenin expression seen in wild-type mice (Fig. 5F–H). This evidence concerns the gene PARP1 and necrotizing enterocolitis.