Fig. 2.

Characterization of endothelial cells and mural cells in the post-implantation uterus. H&E and double staining IF of E6.5 uterine sections through implantation sites, showing inter-embryonic regions and central parts of the decidua. Ovals indicate areas of the uteri magnified (B1 – E1). (A) H&E at E6.5 highlighting the embryo (e), inter-implantation sites (i), myometrium [dashed bracket (myo)], and decidua, which is between the embryo and dashed line. (B – E) CD31⁺ ECs are observed throughout the decidua, inter-implantation sites, and myometrium. (B) CD31 and NG2 staining. NG2⁺ mural cells are associated with CD31⁺ ECs in the myometrium (boxes) and in the decidua (arrowheads in B1). NG2⁺ mural cells are abundant in the anti-mesometrial (am) decidua and sparse in the mesometrial (m) decidua. (C) CD31 and PDGFR-β staining. PDGFR-β⁺ murals cells are associated with CD31⁺ ECs in the anti-mesomestrial decidua and myometrium. PDGFR-β ⁺ mural cells are abundant in the anti-mesometrial decidua and sparse in the mesometrial decidua (D) CD31 and desmin staining. Desmin⁺ cells are observed throughout the decidua and myometrium. (E) CD31 and SMA staining. SMA⁺ smooth muscle cells are observed in the myometrium and are not associated with CD31⁺ decidual ECs. DAPI identifies all nuclei in IF images. Bar in A = 100 μm. Bar in B – E = 500 μm. Bar in B1 – E1 = 50 μm.