Figure 1.
Itga-9 expression is increased in inflamed cornea.
(A) Representative micrographs from semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showing that Itga-9 expression is significantly increased in 2 week post-sutured corneas compared with normal control. (B) Summarized data from 3 repetitive experiments. ***P<0.001.
Figure 2.
Itga-9 is expressed on lymphatic valves in inflamed cornea and normal conjunctiva and limbi.
Representative micrographs demonstrating Itga-9 expression on luminal valve leaflets (arrows) of LYVE-1+ lymphatic vessels in inflamed corneas 2 weeks after suture placement (A), and normal conjunctiva (B) and limbus (C). Itga-9: red; LYVE-1: green. Original magnification: 200 X (A and B) and 400 X (C).
Figure 3.
Time course of lymphatic valve formation during corneal inflammation.
(A) Representative micrographs demonstrating the increase of lymphatic valves in sutured corneas with the progression of corneal inflammatory lymphangiogenesis. Itga-9: red; LYVE-1: green. Original magnification: 50 X. Dashed lines: demarcation between the cornea and conjunctiva. (B) Summarized data from repetitive experiments showing lymphatic valve quantification at day 3, 7, and 14 after suture placement. **P<0.01.
Figure 4.
Morphologically distinct stages of lymphatic valve formation in inflamed cornea.
Representative micrographs demonstrating a mature lymphatic valve in normal conjunctiva (A) and various stages of lymphatic valves in inflamed corneas 2 weeks after suture placement (B–D). (B) Spotted expression of Itga-9 at early stage of valve formation. (C) Thin ring of Itga-9 expression characteristic of intermediate stage of valve formation. (D) Late stage of valve formation identified by strong band of Itga-9 expression, similarly as seen in normal conjunctiva (A). Itga-9: red; LYVE-1: green. Original magnification: 400 X. Arrows: lymphatic valves.
Figure 5.
Localization of corneal lymphatic valves at branching points.
(A–C) Representative micrographs demonstrating the location of newly formed lymphatic valves at vessel branching points, as indicated by the arrows. Itga-9: red; LYVE-1: green. (B and C) Higher magnification views of the boxed areas in (A). Original magnification: 200 X (A) and 400 X (B and C).