Pathological lymphangiogenesis models using Prox1-tdTomato mouse.

<p>(A-E) Bladder lymphangiogenesis model: Adult Prox1-tdTomato mice were i.p. injected with phosphate-buffered saline (A,C) or cyclophosphamide (B,D) at days 1 and 4. At day 9, lymphatic vessels in their bladders were visualized. Morphometric analyses revealed a significantly increase in the number of branch (marked with arrowhead), loop (arrow) and blind ends (double arrowhead) of lymphatic vessels in the CYP-treated bladder compared to the PBS-treated control (CTR) bladder (E). (F-J) Tumor implantation model: GFP-labeled tumor cells were implanted into the skin of immunodeficient athymic Prox1-tdTomato mouse, generated by crossing athymic nude mice and Prox1-tdTomato mice. Images of the GFP-labeled tumor mass (F), dermal lymphatic in the surrounding tissues (G) and their merged image (H) are shown. (I) and (J) are enlarged images of the boxed areas in panel (H) and (I), respectively. Arrows mark luminal valves.