Figure 4.

Fetal lung extracellular matrix (ECM) is well preserved after decellularization. A, Hematoxylin staining for cell nuclei on frozen sections derived from intact (left) and decellularized (right) E17.5 Prx1^WT lungs to confirm the removal of cells from tissue. Scale bar = 20 μm. B, Immunofluorescence staining for fibrillin (Fbn) 2 (top), tropoelastin (TE; middle), and transforming growth factor (TGF)–β (bottom) within intact (left) and decellularized (right) Prx1^WT lungs to examine the preservation of elastic ECM components in decellularized ECM scaffolds. Scale bar = 20 μm. C, Stiffness (Young’s modulus) of intact and decellularized E17.5 Prx1^WT lungs, determined by indentation testing. WT: wild type.