Figure 2: Testicular cells are directed to MECs by both nulliparous and involuting rat mECM in vivo. | Scientific Reports

Figure 2: Testicular cells are directed to MECs by both nulliparous and involuting rat mECM in vivo.

From: Mammary extracellular matrix directs differentiation of testicular and embryonic stem cells to form functional mammary glands in vivo

Figure 2

5.0 × 104 testicular cells from WC/R26-LacZ mice were inoculated in suspensions of nulliparous rat mECM, involuting rat mECM, or vehicle (DMEM) into cleared mammary fat-pads of female nude mice. Following full-term pregnancy and 3 weeks of involution to activate the WC/R26-LacZ reporter in the testicular-derived cells, glands were isolated for analysis. (A–D) X-gal stained whole mounts (A and C) and cross-sections (B and D) of mammary outgrowths derived from testicular cells and nulliparous rat mECM. (E–H) X-gal stained whole mounts (E and G) and cross-sections (F and H) of mammary outgrowths derived from testicular cells and involuting rat mECM. (I and J) X-gal stained whole mount (I) and cross-section (J) of second-generation outgrowth derived from transplantation of tissue fragments of primary outgrowths of testicular cells and nulliparous mECM. X-gal+stain is blue. All cross-sections are counterstained with nuclear fast-red. Scale Bars: A,C,E,G and I = 2 mm; B,D,F, and H = 200 μM; J = 400 μM.

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