A-E’: Representative histologic images of the mitral
valve at multiple timepoints in wildtype (A-E) and Marfan syndrome
(A’-E’) mice using Movat’s pentachrome staining. Note that
mitral valve leaflet thickening is detected (arrows) beginning at P30 in Marfan
syndrome mice (C’) versus control (C). LA = left atrium; LV = left
ventricle. F-I’: Diseased mitral valves exhibit ECM
abnormalities, including increased HABP (green; F’, G’), collagen
fragmentation (arrowheads; H’), collagen deposition (arrow; H’),
and increased versican (green; I’) versus controls (F- I). The posterior
leaflet is depicted. J-M: Quantification of mitral valve thickness
(J), overall cellularity (K), HABP (L), and versican (M). Data are represented
as mean ± SEM. *p<0.05;
**p<0.01. n.s. = not significant. n=6–8
mice/genotype/timepoint. Scale Bars = 200μm (A-E’) and
100μm (F-I’). Abbreviations: Ant.=Anterior leaflet;
Post.=Posterior leaflet; LA=Left Atrium; LV=Left Ventricle; HABP=Hyaluronan
Binding Protein; COL=Collagen; VCAN=Versican; mo=month.