Fig. 4.
Expression of ΔE3β-catenin increase DNA synthesis in corneal epithelium and stroma. (A,B) Immunofluorescence staining of BrdU of P2 corneas in Krt12rtTA/Wt/tetO-Cre/Ctnnb1floxE3/Wt triple-transgenic mice induced without (A) or with Dox (B). Higher magnification shows that BrdU-labeled cells (red) are concentrated in the epithelial nodules (inset in B). Quantitative analysis of BrdU-labeled cells in different regions of the eye section. (C) Data were calculated from ten slides of each sample and Student's t-test was performed. (D) Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed Dox-induced ΔE3β-catenin expression upregulate pro-angiogenic factors such as mFlt1, mVegf, mAngiopoietin (Angpt)-1 and Angpt-2 gene expressions. Co, cornea; ep, epithelium; st, stroma; en, endothelium; le, lens; Re, retina.