Figure 4.

Panx1 deficiency reduces lymphatic function. (A) Panx1 expression in aortic ECs and LECs from WT mice was assessed by real-time qPCR (n = 3–4). (B) Percentage of resident and migratory DCs in CH draining lymph nodes of control (white bars) and Panx1 ^−/− mice (grey bars) (n = 5). (C) Representative images of lymphatic drainage 1 and 15 min after injection of 5 μl of Evans Blue. Arrow points to lymphatic vessel and arrowhead to lymph node. Lymphatic function was measured by quantification of Evans Blue in the sera of Apoe ^−/− (white bar) and Panx1 ^−/− Apoe ^−/− (grey bar) mice (D; n = 4), and of Panx1 ^fl/fl Apoe ^−/− (white bar) and Panx1 ^del Apoe ^−/− (black bar) mice (E; n = 6). (F) Representative images of Hematoxylin/Eosin stained cryosections of tails (1 cm from top) from Apoe ^−/− and Panx1 ^−/− Apoe ^−/− mice. Asterisks denote regions rich in microvasculature. Scale bar represents 100 μm. Tail diameter quantification in Apoe ^−/− (white bars) and Panx1 ^−/− Apoe ^−/− (grey bars) mice was measured at (G) 1 cm from the basis and at (H) 4 cm from the tip of the tail (n = 16–19). (I) LYVE-1 immunostaining (red; arrows) in intestinal villi of Apoe ^−/− and Panx1 ^−/− Apoe ^−/− mice. Nuclei were stained with DAPI (blue). Scale bar represents 50 μm. TG (J) and FFA (K) concentration measured before and 3 hours after olive oil gavage of Apoe ^−/− (white bars) and Panx1 ^−/− Apoe ^−/− (grey bars) mice (n = 6).