Figure 5. LTα₁β₂ induces the formation of complex lymphatic networks in vitro.

a, Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of mRNA transcript for Vegfc in ltβR-/- mice (white bars) in comparison to their wt counterparts (grey bars) at day 0, day 5, 8, 15 and 23 p.c. Transcripts were normalized to housekeeping gene β-actin. The relative expression values (RQ) were calibrated with day 0 p.c. salivary gland values; *, p < 0.05, **, p < 0.01 versus wt mice. Data are representative mean+s.e.m of three to four experiments with six to four glands analysed per group. b, Graph showing flow cytometry analysis of percentage of LEC in ltβR-/- mice treated with recombinant vegfc (white bars) as compared to PBS treated mice (black bars) mice. Data represented as mean+s.e.m. c, Representative microphotograph of lymphatic vessels in infected salivary glands (day 8 p.c.) from recombinant vegfc treated mice in comparison to PBS treated ltβR-/- mice stained for LYVE-1 (green). Scale bar 100um. Summarizing image analysis results showing differences observed in the number of lymphatic vessels per mm² of tissue area and average vessel area (mm²) in ltβR-/- mice treated with recombinant vegfc (white bars) as compared to PBS treated mice (black bars) mice. Data are representative of two independent experiments with four to six glands analysed per group. Data shown as mean+s.e.m *, p < 0.05; unpaired t test.