FIG. 4.

PDGF-BB signaling induces pericyte migration in an in vivo animal model. (A) The red box indicates the location of the vessel-window created on the cochlear lateral wall. (B) shows the full-length of the stria vascularis isolated from a perfused mouse cochlea immediately after treatment. The red square indicates the location of the vessel-window. (C) The confocal projection image shows the post-fixed, full-length of the stria vascularis immunolabeled with desmin for visualization of pericyte processes. (D and E) are high magnification confocal projection images taken from non-PDGF-BB-perfused (green box in panel C) and PDGF-BB-perfused areas (blue box in panel C). In the non-PDGF-BB-perfused area pericytes tightly enshroud capillary walls. In contrast, in the PDGF-BB-perfused area, pericytes display irregularities, with retracted and detached foot processes (white arrows) and soma protrusion (white arrow head)