Figure 7
Intraluminal VWF specifically binds erythrocytes in vivo upon renal damage. (A–F) Representative immunostaining for VWF in kidneys of 11 wild-type (A,B,E,F) and 9 VWF−/− mice (C,D) after IRI at two different magnifications each (A–D). In wild-type mice (A,B), but not in VWF−/− mice (C,D), a large number of erythrocytes (marked with white arrows in B and D) and VWF (green) are visible. 6B and D represent higher magnifications of 6 A and C, respectively. To visualize platelets, we performed staining using anti-GPIb antibodies (E,F). In 6E, platelet clusters (marked with red arrows) are observed colocalized with VWF (green). Erythrocytes (pale pink, marked with white arrows) are barely visible (E). In contrast, in areas of high erythrocyte aggregation (F), we were unable to identify platelets (no red staining, but erythrocytes are marked with white arrows as pale pink autofluorescence). Blue DAPI staining marks cellular nuclei. Intraluminal erythrocytes show pale pink to red autofluorescence.
