FIG. 4. Functional consequences of LYVE-1 and CD44 deficiency.

A) Lymph flow velocity in the tail lymphatic vessel network in wild-type (n = 8), LYVE-1 KO (n =7) mice, CD44 KO (n = 8) and LYVE-1/CD44 double KO (n = 8) mice was determined by residence time distribution analysis and showed no difference amongst the four groups (p > 0.3). Data are presented as mean ± standard error. B) Carrageenan-induced paw edema is significantly enhanced in LYVE-1/CD44 double knockout mice. λ-carrageenan (30 µl) was injected into the right paw of mice and edema was determined by paw thickness during daily monitoring. WT (n = 20), LY KO (n =11) mice, CD44 KO (n = 7) and dKO (n = 9) mice. *p < 0.05 dKO compared to WT; # p < 0.05 dKO compared to LYVE-1 KO. (C) Paws were removed 4 days after λ-carrageenan injection, freeze-dried and hyaluronic acid levels were determined using an HA test kit. HA levels are expressed as µg HA protein per mg of dry weight tissue and showed no differences amongst the groups (p < 0.05). WT (n = 6), LY KO (n = 8), CD44 KO (n = 6) and dKO (n = 6). Data are presented as the mean ± standard error. D) Mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate and subjected to peritoneal lavage 4 days later. Total numbers of viable cells were counted by using trypan blue dye exclusion method. WT (n = 6), CD44 KO (n = 4), LY KO (n =7) and dKO (n = 3) mice. E) Cells were subjected to differential staining (Giemsa) and macrophages, polymorphic neutrophils (PMNs) and lymphocytes were counted. Data are presented as the mean ± standard error.