(a–b) Representative 3D reconstruction reveal similar bladder insertion
points of both control ureters (a, blue) into the bladder (yellow), but a high
and lateral insertion of the right
Frs2αST−/− ureter
(arrow) into the bladder. (c–d) Triangles connecting the external ureter
(white) and internal (yellow) insertion points and the bladder neck (from panels
a and b) illustrate similar insertion site angles in the control, indicating
relatively parallel levels of insertion (c); however, the high and lateral
refluxing Frs2αST−/− ureter
(arrow) leads to triangles with very different insertion point angles (d).
(e–f) Graphs confirm that compared to control and non-refluxing
Frs2αST−/− mice,
Frs2αST−/− mice with
unilateral reflux have much larger differences in external (e) and internal (f)
insertion site angles. (g) Graph revealing that mean intravesicular tunnel
length (IVT) (visualized as purple lines in panels c and d) is significantly
shorter in refluxing
Frs2αST−/− ureters
versus control and non-refluxing
Frs2αST−/− ureters.
(n) = 3. Values = Mean + SD. One-way ANOVA =
*p<0.05, **p<0.01. Scale bar =
500μm.