Mice with a severe deficiency in protein C display prothrombotic and proinflammatory phenotypes and compromised maternal reproductive capabilities
J. Clin. Invest. Angelina J. Lay, et al. 115:1552 doi:10.1172/JCI24030 [
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Figure 6Spontaneous abortion in PC
–/–(PC
Tg785) mothers. (
A and
B) H&E stains of embryos in utero showing enhanced bleeding and fibrin deposition at the ectoplacental cone region and area surrounding a 6.5-dpc embryo. (
C and
D) Intense fibrin depositions were present in 7.5-dpc embryos in PC
–/–(PC
Tg785) mothers. However, proliferation of trophoblast giant cells remained comparable to that in WT mice (data not shown). (
E and
F) Immunohistochemical staining using the TUNEL assay revealed extensive trophoblast giant cell death in PC
–/–(PC
Tg785) mothers. H&E staining of WT (
G) and low-PC (
H) 8.5-dpc embryos highlighting severe growth retardation and partially resorbed embryos accompanied by severe uterine bleeding in PC
–/–(PC
Tg785) mothers. (
I and
J) Enhanced inflammation at the ectoplacental cone region as illustrated by increased anti-CD45 positive leukocyte infiltration in PC
–/–(PC
Tg785) compared with WT mothers. Asterisks indicate ectoplacental cone region.
