Figure 5.

Prx1 controls the biophysical properties of fetal lung extracellular matrix (ECM). A, Immunofluorescence staining for fibrillin (Fbn) 2 (top), tropoelastin (TE; middle), and transforming growth factor (TGF)–β (bottom) in Prx1^WT (left) and Prx1^null (right) lung scaffolds at E17.5. Arrows indicate decellularized vessels. Scale bar = 20 μm. B, Stiffness (Young’s modulus) of decellularized E17.5 lung scaffolds from Prx1^WT and Prx1^null mice, determined by indentation testing. Two asterisks indicate P < 0.01. C, Scanning electron photomicrographs of decellularized lung scaffolds from Prx1^WT and Prx1^null mice demonstrating the ultrastructure and fine architecture of lung ECM. D, Transmission electron micrographs of decellularized lung scaffolds from Prx1^WT and Prx1^null mice demonstrating the 2-D ultrastructure and ECM fiber formation of lung ECM. WT: wild type.