Fig. 3

Masson–Goldner trichrome staining showing progressive collagen accumulation in GalNT2-Cosmc pancreases at 4 and 6 weeks. The scale bar equals 200 µm. (A). Relative quantification of collagen-positive areas confirmed a significant increase at 4 and 6 weeks (p = 0.0037 and p = 0.0003). The number of image sections analyzed was n = 3 for WT at all ages and GalNT2-Cosmc at 2 weeks, and n = 6 for GalNT2-Cosmc at 4 and 6 weeks (B). IHC staining for lipase revealed a loss of exocrine acinar cells in GalNT2-Cosmc pancreases from 4 to 6 weeks (C). Relative quantification of lipase-positive areas revealed a significant reduction at 4 and 6 weeks (p = 0.0029 and p < 0.0001). The number of image sections analyzed was n = 3 for both WT and GalNT2-Cosmc at all ages (D). IHC staining for insulin revealed a reduction in insulin-positive areas in GalNT2-Cosmc mice at 4 and 6 weeks (E). Relative quantification of insulin-positive areas, normalized to pancreatic area, showed a statistically significant increase in GalNT2-Cosmc mice (p < 0.01). The number of image sections analyzed was n = 3 for both WT and GalNT2-Cosmc at all ages (F). Measurement of fasting blood glucose in WT (n = 8) and GalNT2-Cosmc (n = 7) mice at 6 weeks of age showed no significant difference (G). Relative adipocyte replacement was observed exclusively in GalNT2-Cosmc mice, with measurable changes at 4 weeks of age and statistical significance at 6 weeks (p = 0.04) (H). Quantitative RT–PCR analysis revealed significant downregulation of lipase expression in the pancreas of GalNT2-Cosmc mice compared with that in WT mice (p < 0.0001) (I). All the data were statistically analyzed via an unpaired t test.