Fig. 4

αSMA is expressed by interstitial CoRL in fibrosis. Red fluorescent protein (red) staining identified CoRL, αSMA (green) staining was used to mark vascular smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts, CD31 staining denotes endothelial cells (magenta). Nuclei are labeled with DAPI (blue). (a) In the sham cortex, CoRL were found in JG compartment (arrowheads, insets). (b) At d7 post UUO, CoRL were localized to perivascular area (arrowhead, insets), however, some CoRL were no longer supporting microvessels (arrow). (c) At 14 days post UUO, majority of CoRL (arrowhead) were found outside vascular bed and expressing αSMA suggesting the myofibroblastic conversion. Insets show high power images of merged and single stained panels (d) In the sham medulla, CoRL were found in vasa recta (arrowhead) and co-expressing αSMA. (e) 7 days following UUO, CoRL were still found surrounding endothelial cells (arrowhead, insets). (f) 14 days post UUO, CoRL and localized to avascular areas and expressing αSMA (arrowhead). Insets show high power images of merged and single stained panels