Fig. 4: RTT patient-derived MVNs exhibit higher permeability along with altered tight junction expression.
From: miR126-mediated alteration of vascular integrity in Rett syndrome
a WT-iECs and RTT-iECs were embedded in fibrin gel with fibroblasts and introduced into microfluidic devices to form MVNs. In both WT- and RTT-iEC case, MVNs were formed within 5 days. b RTT-iVascular exhibited slightly but significantly smaller vasculature diameters. c There is no significant difference in the vasculature roundness. d Permeability of the endothelial layer was quantified by the perfusion of 70 kDa Texas-red conjugated dextran solution. e RTT-iVascular exhibited higher permeability, indicating lower barrier function of the endothelial layer. f Immunostaining of ZO-1 in 3D MVNs. The ZO-1 intensity was lower in RTT-iVascular than in WT-iVascular. g Both WT-iVascular and RTT-iVascular produced collagen IV, with no significant difference. h MMP and TIMP1 levels were quantified from conditioned medium in 3D MVNs. RTT-iVascular secreted higher MMP8 and TIMP4 and lower TIMP1, but there was no significant difference in MMP1 or MMP9. Student’s t-test, **, p < 0.01, * p < 0.05.
