DCN deficiency increases the expression and synthesis of TGF-β1, -β2 and CTGF/CCN2 in the murine ON. (A) Expression of TGF-β2 (WT = 1 ± 0.13, n = 9, Dcn−/− = 1.85 ± 0.23, n = 10, p = 0.036), TGF-β1 (WT = 1 ± 0.15, n = 9, Dcn−/− = 1.83 ± 0.23, n = 10, p = 0.040) and CTGF/CCN2 (WT = 1 ± 0.15, n = 7, Dcn−/− = 1.84 ± 0.23, n = 7, p = 0.044) are significantly increased in the ON of DCN-deficient mice. * are significant with p ≤ 0.05. (B) Immunofluorescence staining against CTGF/CCN2 in the ON. Signal for CTGF/CCN2 is markedly stronger in the ON of the Dcn−/− animal compared to its WT littermate. Blue: DAPI, red: CTGF/CCN2, ON = optic nerve, ONH = optic nerve head, Re = retina. Scale bars: 20 µm.