Fig. 5.
Flk1ST−/− kidneys have abnormal ureteric branching morphogenesis and nephron formation. A–D: 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of E13.5 kidneys appear to show less ureteric branching (B, pink) and fewer developing nephron structures (B and D) than controls (A and C). Blue: renal vesicle; red: comma-shaped body; purple: S-shaped body; and green: immature glomeruli. E: histogram depicting the reduction in mutant ureteric and nephron volume vs. controls. F: histogram confirming that there are fewer developing nephron structures in the mutants compared with the controls. G: histogram showing that volumes of the more mature nephron structures are reduced in the mutants in comparison with the controls. H and I: skeletonization of the ureteric epithelium appears to show less ureteric branching in E13.5 mutants (I) compared with controls (H). J and K: graphs confirming a reduction in both mean total ureteric length (J) and ureteric tip number (K) in the mutants as compared with controls. For all graphs, *P < 0.05; n = 5 for both groups.