Fig. 1.

Increased thrombus formation and impaired thrombus resolution in the ligated inferior vena cava (IVC) of Akt2^−/− mice. Wild-type (WT) mice and Akt2^−/− mice underwent a sham operation or IVC ligation. The thrombus-containing IVC was harvested from each mouse at the designated time. a Schematic illustration of IVC ligation. A midline laparotomy was performed, and the IVC was identified. A 4–0 polypropylene suture was placed longitudinally along the ventral surface of the vein, and the IVC was ligated below the renal veins with a 7–0 polypropylene suture. The 4–0 polypropylene suture was then removed to avoid complete occlusion. Side branches were not ligated. Control mice underwent the same surgical procedure without IVC ligation (sham ligation). b Representative images of immunofluorescence staining and quantification showing that IVC ligation increased AKT2 expression in the IVC of WT mice 1 week after ligation. For the quantification of staining, the mean positive-staining area was normalized with the evaluated area. All values represent the mean (n = 6 per group). P-values were obtained by performing the Welch’s t test. c Time-course analysis showing that the mean weight of the combined IVC and thrombus was significantly greater in Akt2^−/− mice than in WT mice from day 7 to day 28 after ligation. Furthermore, the mean weight of the combined IVC and thrombus decreased more slowly in Akt2^−/− mice (significantly reduced at day 21 after ligation) than in WT mice (significantly reduced at day 14 after ligation). All values represent the mean (n = 6 per group). P-values were obtained by performing two-way ANOVA analysis followed by post-hoc pairwise comparisons with the Bonferroni correction. d Representative hematoxylin and eosin staining showing larger thrombi in the IVC of Akt2^−/− mice than in that of WT mice at different times after ligation