Fig 8. NPC maintenance depends on the developmental stage of non-NPC cells.

Using Six2-GCE mice, four different combinations of aggregates were reconstituted with respective Six2⁺ and Six2^- cells from E12.5 and E15.5 embryonic kidneys (A-H). Representative aggregates after 7 days in culture were immuno-stained for Six2 (green) and DBA (red). More abundant Six2⁺-NPC were seen in both aggregates reconstituted with E12.5 Six2^- cells (A, B), indicating that Six2⁺-NPC maintenance depends on the developmental stage of Sxi2^--non-NPC. Organized UB branching structures were seen only in aggregates reconstituted with E12.5 Six2^- cells (E, F). Note that nuclear Six2 signals were detected only in aggregates reconstituted with E12.5 Six2^- cells (A, B) (Scale bar = 500 μm)