Fig. 3

KLF7 is upregulated during EndMT-triggered aortic stiffening in db/db mice. A Representative images (upper panel) of co-immunofluorescent staining of CD31 (in red), KLF7 (in green) and DAPI (in blue). The elastic lamella is depicted in grey (autofluorescence). In the db/db aorta, co-localization between CD31 and KLF7 is visible at the endothelial layer (indicated by white arrows). Zoom-in (lower panel) of the tunica intima. CD31 marks the endothelial layer in the control aorta (without KLF7 expression). In the db/db aorta, robust co-localization between CD31 and KLF7 is present at the endothelial layer. B Quantification of co-localization of CD31 with KLF7 upon co-immunostaining in aortas from db/db mice vs age-matched control mice. The amount of co-localization of CD31 with KLF7 is significantly higher in aortas from db/db mice. C qRT-PCR analysis of KLF7 in aortas of db/db mice (n = 4) vs control. KLF7 is upregulated in aortic tissue of db/db mice. The data is presented as mean value; error bars represent S.E.M; *p < 0.05; ***p < 0.001