Figure 6
From: Role of fibulin-5 insufficiency and prolapse progression on murine vaginal biomechanical function
Elastic fiber morphology in the subepithelial and muscular layer. Representative 40 × histological images of Hart’s Elastin stain (a) along the circumferential (i, iii, v, vii) and axial (ii, iv, vi, vii) planes for the Fbln5+/+ (i, ii), Fbln5+/− (iii, iv), Fbln5-/- with grade 1 POP (v, vi), and Fbln5-/- with grade 2/3 POP (vii, viii) mice. Layers of the vagina are denoted as: epithelium (e), subepithelium (s), muscularis (m), and adventitia (a). Elastin area fraction (AF) in the Fbln5+/+ (black; n = 3), Fbln5+/− (grey; n = 3), Fbln5-/- with grade 1 POP (light grey; n = 3), and Fbln5-/- with grade 2/3 POP (dark grey; n = 3) mice along the circumferential plane (b). Fibulin-5 insufficiency and POP significantly affected elastin area fraction within the muscularis (p = 0.001). Elastin AF decreased in the Fbln5−/− vagina with grade 1 (p = 0.004) and 2/3 (p = 0.006) POP compared to Fbln5+/+. Elastin AF decreased in the Fbln5−/− vagina with grade 1 (p = 0.005) and 2/3 (p = 0.007) POP compared to Fbln5+/−. Elastin AF along the axial plane (c). Fibulin-5 insufficiency and POP significantly (p < 0.001) affected elastin AF within the muscularis and subepithelium. In the muscularis, elastin AF decreased (p < 0.001) in the Fbln5−/− with grade 1 and 2/3 POP compared to Fbln5+/+ and Fbln5+/−. Elastin AF decreased (p = 0.007) in Fbln5+/− compared to Fbln5+/+. In the subepithelium, elastin AF decreased in the Fbln5−/− vagina with grade 1 (p = 0.004) and 2/3 (p = 0.003) POP compared to Fbln5+/+. Elastin AF decreased in the Fbln5−/− vagina with grade 1 (p = 0.004) and 2/3 (p = 0.003) POP compared to Fbln5+/−. Elastic fiber length along the circumferential (d) and axial (e) planes. Elastic fiber tortuosity along the circumferential (f) and axial (g) planes. Fibulin-5 insufficiency and POP significantly affected elastic fiber tortuosity within the subepithelium circumferentially (p = 0.03). Elastic fiber tortuosity in the subepithelium increased circumferentially (p = 0.03) in the Fbln5−/− vagina with grade 1 POP compared to Fbln5+/− and Fbln5−/− vagina with grade 2/3 POP. Data is reported as mean ± SEM. Statistical significance is denoted by *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001.
