Figure 2.
Histologic features of RNS variants. (A–C) Hematoxylin–eosin staining showed numerous tortuous blood vessels (bv) with an abnormally large diameter in the papillary layer and associated extensive inflammatory infiltrates in RNS-1 gingiva (B). Abnormally large and shredded collagen bundles running in all directions were found in RNS-2 gingiva (C). (D–F) Picrosirius red polarizing staining. (D) Fibers of collagen organized in bundles of fixed diameter running in perpendicular pathways. (E,F) In RNS-1 and RNS-2, collagen fibers did not organize in packed bundles, but appeared shredded (arrow) and organized in a mesh network. (G,H) Alizarin red staining identified calcium aggregates (arrow) in the reticular layer of the lamina propria of RNS-1 (G) and RNS-2 (H) mutants. Scale bars: (A–C), (G,H) = 200 μm; (D–F) = 50 μm.