Additionally, immunofluorescent staining results revealed an increased expression of parthanatos-associated proteins PARP1 and PAR at both the top and bottom of the villi, as identified by the Lgr5 marker, an epithelial stem cell marker, in NEC intestinal tissues (p < 0.01 versus control subjects) (Fig. 1C–F). The gene discussed is LGR5; the disease is necrotizing enterocolitis.