Figure 3. Developmental analysis of the p120 catenin loss-of-function phenotype.

Hematoxylin and eosin staining at various time points during pancreatic development demonstrated a manifest phenotype as early as E12.5 in C^Pdx1; p120^f/f animals. (A) p120 catenin loss resulted in expansion of epithelial tubule lumen diameter, decreased ramification of branching tubules, and defects in distribution of all pancreatic cell types during development. Asterisks indicate dilated lumens in C^Pdx1; p120^f/f pancreases. (B) C^Pdx1; p120^f/f; mTmG^Tg/wt pancreatic bud explants dissected at E11.5 and placed in in vitro culture displayed aberrant tubulogenesis, evident as early as Day 3 of culture, suggesting that aberrant tubulogenesis occurred in the absence of associated inflammation. White boxes surround the dorsal pancreatic buds, which are displayed as higher magnification images. White arrows depict the ventral and dorsal pancreatic buds on Day 6/7. Scale bars are 50μm.