Figure 1.

Endothelial-specific deletion of Mef2c leads to worsening pulmonary hypertension. (A) Immunofluorescent staining for Mef2c (white) in the lungs of Mef2c^ECKO mice. White and red arrows designate endothelial cell nuclei. DAPI (blue) is also shown. Scale bar: 50 μm. (B) (Left) Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) measurements of control and Mef2c^ECKO mice after exposure to chronic hypoxia. ***P < 0.001. n = 6–10 per group. (Middle) Right ventricle to left ventricle + septum [RV/(LV + S)] weight ratios for control and Mef2c^ECKO mice after exposure to chronic hypoxia. *P < 0.05. (Right) Quantification of muscularized pulmonary vessels in Mef2c^ECKO mice and controls. ***P < 0.001. Mef2c = myocyte enhancer factor 2c; Musc. Art. = muscularized pulmonary arterioles.