Fig. 2

MST1 is crucial for perpendicular vascular branching. a Diagram depicting the experimental schedule for EC-specific deletion of MST1 in retinal vessels from P1 and their analyses at P12 in Mst1^i∆EC mice. b, c Images of CD31⁺ vessels in superficial and deep layers of retina and comparisons of indicated parameters in WT (n = 5) and Mst1^i∆EC (n = 5) mice. Scale bars, 500 μm. d, e 3D reconstructed images of CD31⁺ vascular plexus and comparisons of the length of perpendicular growth in WT (n = 5) and Mst1^i∆EC (n = 5) mice. Note that aberrant vessel crossings (yellow arrowheads) are shown. Scale bars, 50 μm. f Images showing IB4⁺ vessels, ICAM2⁺ lumen formation and COL4⁺ collagen deposition in WT and Mst1^i∆EC mice at P12. Scale bars, 500 μm. g, h Images of TER119⁺ RBC and CD31⁺ retinal vessels, and comparison of RBC leakage in WT (n = 5) and Mst1^i∆EC (n = 5) mice. Scale bars, 100 μm. i, j Images of CD31⁺ vessels and comparison of vascular density at cerebral cortex and striatum in WT (n = 5) and Mst1^i∆EC (n = 5) mice. Scale bars, 200 μm. k, l Images of CD31⁺ vessels and comparisons of indicated parameters at cerebellum in WT (n = 5) and Mst1^i∆EC (n = 5) mice. Scale bars, 200 μm. Data represent mean (bar) ± s.d. (error bars). P values, versus WT by two-tailed unpaired t-test. NS not significant. Source data are provided as a Source Data file