Figure 6.

Characterization of VIC phenotypes in myxomatous mitral valves from 15 month old Filamin A^−/− mice. Pentachrome staining to show extracellular matrix composition and organization in 15 month wild type (Filamin A^+/+) (A) and Filamin A^−/− (B) mice. (C–H) Immunohistochemistry to detect expression of smooth muscle α-actin (SMA) with Periostin (C,D), Twist1 (E,F) and Vimentin (G,H) in cells within the mitral valve leaflet of wild type (C,E,G) and Filamin A^−/− (D,F,H) mice. Arrows indicate SMA expression (red) and arrowheads indicate Twist1 (E,F) and Vimentin (G,H) shown in green. mv: mitral valve