Figure 2. Reduced lymphatic function in Emilin1^−/− mice after tail surgery.

FITC–dextran was subcutaneously injected into the tail of WT and Emilin1^−/− mice at day 14 after wounding. (A) Representative fluorescence images of subcutaneous lymphatic vessels in the tail are shown: note the typical hexagonal network in WT tails. White arrows indicate the FITC–dextran injection site. (B) At 5 min from injection, images were taken to visualize draining iliac lymph nodes. (C) Tails were harvested and stained with anti-podoplanin antibodies. Note the uptake of FITC–dextran by lymphatic vessels (yellow asterisks) in WT mice and the persistence of the dye in the dermis in Emilin1^−/− mice. White arrows indicate podoplanin-positive lymphatic vessels. Isotypical control staining was included. Scale bars=2 mm (A, B) and 50 μm (C).