Fig. 4
From: Tie2 as a novel key factor of microangiopathy in systemic sclerosis
Expression of Ang/Tie2 in dermal microvessels of VEGF tg mice. Overall, the changes in VEGF tg mice reflected the changes observed in human SSc. a In VEGF +/- tg mice, the percentage of Ang-2 positive (brown staining) dermal microvessels (vWF positive, blue staining) was significantly increased compared with wt mice (vessels indicated by arrows). The same could be observed in VEGF +/+ tg mice. b In contrast, VEGF +/- and VEGF+/+ tg mice showed a lower percentage of Ang-1 (brown staining) dermal microvessels (vWF positive; blue staining) compared with controls. Double-stained vessels are indicated by arrows with an open arrowhead whereas vessels being only positive for vWF are indicated by arrows with a closed arrowhead. c The expression of membrane-bound Tie2 (mbTie) (brown staining) was remarkably reduced in the microvessels (vWF positive; blue staining) of VEGF +/- and +/+ tg mice compared with wt mice Vessels are indicated by arrows. Pictures are representative examples of +/-- (+/−) (n = 9) and +/+ (+/+) (n = 8) VEGF tg mice and respective controls (n = 6/9). +/- heterozygous, +/+ homozygous, Ang Angiopoietin, vWF von Willebrand factor, wt wildtype