Figure 8.

Integrity of the genital epithelium in Muc5b^−/− pregnant mice

(A) Expression of CHOP assessed by RT-qPCR in the vagina and cervix from five wild-type (WT) and five Muc5b^−/− mice.

(B) Immunofluorescence images of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA, in green) of three representative WT and three Muc5b^−/− (5b^−/−) mice. The percentages of PCNA⁺ cells relative to total epithelial cells were determined in the vagina and cervical canal for three mice/genotype.

(C) Histology sections stained with Alcian blue–periodic acid–Schiff showing the decrease in thickness of the vaginal mucosal epithelium (ME). The thickness of the nonmucosal epithelium (NME) and ME was measured in five WT and four Muc5b^−/− mice. Lu, lumen. DNA was counterstained with Hoechst 33258 dye (blue) in all immunofluorescence sections. Statistical analysis was conducted using a two-sided Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. ns, non-significant.