Fig. 4

Implantation of aggregates in a sub-renal capsule assay formed SG-like organoid structures in vivo that stained positively for markers of SG differentiation. SMG-ECM-treated aggregates were implanted under the kidney capsule in immunocompromised mice to study organoid development. Kidneys, containing the implants, were harvested after 30 days for histological analysis. After fixation, sectioning, and staining for immunofluorescence microscopy, the presence of amylase and Aqp5, both markers of SG differentiation, were identified in SMG tissue (positive control) and aggregates (formed during 14 days of culture) that had been implanted for 30 days. Staining with nonspecific isotype antibody was used as a negative control (not shown). Scale bar for SMG tissue = 50 µm; scale bar for aggregates implanted for 30 days = 20 µm. Images were selected from original work published by BioMed Central in Tran et al.²²¹