Figure 5.

Elevated production of BM components in obese pigs. (A) Real-time PCR showed upregulation of fibronectin and collagen IV transcripts in the Western diet-fed pigs, which was supported by (B) Western blot protein expression. Representative immunohistochemistry staining images of (C) fibronectin and (D) collagen IV further showed elevated production of BM proteins in the obese Ossabaw pig retinal capillaries. Insets highlight increased capillary wall thickness (denoted by open bracket) in obese animals compared to lean controls. n = 3 eyes per group. ***P < 0.001. Scale bar: 50 μm.