Fig. 5

Loss of β-catenin in Tcf21 lineage cells does not affect CF activation or total CF numbers but does lead to decreased Col1a1 and Col3a1 expression 8 weeks post TAC. a Representative images of αSMA staining (red, in insets) in Tcf21 ^MCM ;Ctnnb1 ^fl/fl and Cre-negative control hearts 8 weeks after TAC are shown. b Non-vascular αSMA⁺ cells (αSMA⁺ cells surrounding vessel lumens were excluded from the analysis) were identified as activated CFs and quantified. c Representative images of vimentin (red) and endomucin (green) co-staining in Tcf21 ^MCM ;Ctnnb1 ^fl/fl and Cre-negative control hearts 8 weeks after TAC are shown. Vimentin⁺/endomucin⁻ cells were identified as CFs (red cells in insets) and d quantified. e Representative images for collagen 1/3 (Col1/3) immunofluorescence (red) co-stained with MF20 (green) in Tcf21 ^MCM ;Ctnnb1 ^fl/fl and Cre-negative control hearts are shown. Scale bar = 100 μm. Quantitative PCR analysis of Col1a1 (f) and Col3a1 (g) was performed using mRNA isolated from LV free wall at 8 weeks post operation. Data points are shown with median and interquartile ranges indicated. Statistical significance was determined by Kruskal–Wallis tests followed Mann–Whitney U tests for pairwise comparisons using Bonferonni adjustments to control for multiple testing. *P < 0.05 vs. sham, ^† P < 0.05 vs. Control TAC. N = 4–8 mice per group