Fig. 10

Expression of Notch ligand, Jagged1 (Jag1) in relation to endothelial cells and mural cells in the peri-implantation uterus. H&E and double staining IF of E3.5 (A – D) and E6.5 (E – H) uterine sections. Ovals indicate areas of the uteri magnified (B1 – D1, F1 – H1). (A) H&E at E3.5 highlighting the luminal epithelium (arrows), inner circular and outer longitudinal myometrium [dashed bracket (myo)], endometrial stroma (st) and serosa (s). (B – D) Jag1⁺ cells are observed throughout the endometrial stroma and in the myometrium (boxes). (B) Jag1 and CD31. Jag1 is expressed in CD31⁺ ECs in the stroma and myometrium. (C) Jag1 and NG2. Jag1 is expressed on a subset of NG2⁺ mural cells in the stroma (arrowheads in C1). (D) Jag1 and PDGFR-β. Jag1 is expressed on a subset of PDGFR-β⁺ mural cells in the stroma (arrowheads in D1). (E) H&E at E6.5 highlighting the embryo (e), inter-implantation sites (i), and myometrium (myo). (F – H) At E6.5, Jag1⁺ cells are observed in decidua and myometrium. (F) Jag1 and CD31. Jag1 is expressed in CD31⁺ ECs of spiral arteries (box) in the mesometrial decidua and in large vessels in the anti-mesometrial decidua and myometrium. (G) Jag1 and NG2 staining. Jag1 is expressed on a subset of NG2⁺ mural cells in the mesometrial decidua (arrowhead in G1). (H) Jag1 and PDGFR-β. PDGFR-β⁺ mural cells surround Jag1⁺ cells in the decidua. DAPI identifies all nuclei in IF images. am, anti-mesometrial; m, mesometrial. Bar in A and E =100 μm. Bar in B – D and F – H =500 μm. Bar in B1 – D1 and F1 – H1 = 50 μm.