Figure 1. Characterization of Fbln5^RGE/RGE (RGE) mice.

(A) RT-PCR of Fbln5 from WT and RGE kidney mRNA. (B) Sequencing confirms a successful mutation of D56E. (C) Western blot analysis showing comparable level of fibulin-5 protein in the WT and mutant kidneys. (D) Representative fibulin-5 immunostaining in the vagina from WT, Fbln5^–/– (KO), and RGE mice. Note strong fibulin-5 expression in the vaginal stroma in WT and RGE mice. Asterisks indicate vessels. Scale bars: 50 μm. (E) Histological analysis of vaginal wall from WT, KO, and RGE mice at 4 weeks of age stained with H&E, Hart’s, or Masson’s trichrome. Numerous long branching elastic fibers are seen in WT and RGE vagina, whereas abnormal elastic fibers are present in KO mouse (arrow). Scale bars: 50 μm (H&E); 20 μm (Hart’s and Masson’s trichrome). ep, epithelium; s, stroma.