Fig. 3: Sox17 deletion in the aortic root endothelium impairs aortic root growth and maturation.
From: A SOX17-PDGFB signaling axis regulates aortic root development
a IF for ELASTIN (green) shows thin aortic root wall in E15.5 Sox17eKO hearts. b Quantitative analysis shows a significant reduction in the wall thickness. c EdU (green) assay shows reduced proliferation of VSMCs in the aortic root wall marked by red ELSTAIN staining in Sox17eKO hearts. IB4 (white) stains the endothelium. d Quantitative analysis shows a significant reduction in VSMC proliferation. (For (a–d) Figures, n = 6/group, mean ± SD, unpaired two-tailed t-test, p = 0.00003 for (b), p = 0.000003 for (d), *p < 0.05). e, f Representative Alcian blue staining images and quantitative analysis of E15.5 control and Sox17eKO hearts show reduced proteoglycans in NCL (arrow) of the Sox17eKO hearts. g, h Representative IF images and quantitative analysis of E15.5 control and Sox17eKO hearts indicate decreased HABP2 (green) in the wall of NCS (arrowhead). i, j Representative IF images and quantitative analysis of E15.5 control and Sox17eKO hearts show increased VCAN (green) in the wall of LAS (arrowhead). k, l Representative IF images and quantitative analysis of E15.5 control and Sox17eKO hearts showing upregulated COL1A1 (green) in the wall of LAS (arrowhead). In e–l, n = 3/group, mean ± SD, unpaired two-tailed t-test, p = 0.027 for (f), p = 0.006 for (h), p = 0.036 for (j), p = 0.017 for (l), *p < 0.05. Source data are provided as a Source Data file. Scale bars: 100 µm.
