Figure 1
From: Flt1/VEGFR1 heterozygosity causes transient embryonic edema
Flt1+/− mice showed a transient embryonic edema without overt defects in vascular development.
(A,B) Lateral view of whole-mount embryos at E14.5 from crosses between WT and Flt1+/− mice. Subcutaneous edema (arrowheads) is observed only in Flt1+/− embryos. (C) The edema index of Flt1+/− embryos is significantly higher than WT embryos (WT, n = 21; Flt1+/−, n = 16). (D,E) Western blot analysis using embryonic back skin at E14.5 shows the levels of Flk1 tyrosine phosphorylation are elevated in Flt1+/− embryos, compared to WT embryos (n = 3 each group). (F–K) Immunofluorescence confocal microscopic images of flat-mount embryonic back skin at E15.5 stained for PECAM-1 (red) and Flt4 (green). (L) Number of capillary branching points (per mm2) (n = 3 each group). (M) Blood vessel density (vessel area/total area of interest). There was no significant difference in blood and lymphatic vascular network between WT and Flt1+/− embryos (n = 3 each group). Data are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean. ***P < 0.001 and *P < 0.05 as determined by unpaired two-tailed Student’s t-test. N.S. = not significant.
