Fig. 3. Ctgf^-/- mice exhibit multiple skeletal defects. In all panels, wild-type is towards the left and Ctgf^-/- is to the right. Atlases from E14.5 (A) and P0 (B) mutants are broader than those from wild-type littermates. (C) Sagittal views of neonatal rib cages showing deformation of cartilage, and kinks in bone in Ctgf^-/- mice (arrow). (D) Flat mounts of rib cages show that in Ctgf mutants, ribs are kinked and the sternum is shortened. (E) E14.5 rib cages, showing that the kinks seen in neonatal mutant ribs are preceded by distorted rib cartilage. (F) Endochondral ossification is delayed in Ctgf mutants. Seventh ribs from neonatal wild-type and mutant littermates are shown. (G) Misalignment of the sternal bars is seen in 10% of neonatal mutants. (H) Cleared skeletal preparations of E13.5 forelimbs, showing kinks in the radius and ulna (arrows) prior to ossification. (I) Cleared skeletal preparations of neonatal forelimbs and hindlimbs showing deformations (arrowheads) in the radius and ulna, and tibia and fibula. (J) Side views of neonatal skulls showing domed skull and shortened mandibles (arrow). (K) Ventral views of neonatal skulls, showing lack of elevation of the palatal shelves, leading to cleft palate (arrowhead), deformation of nasal cartilage, and consequent absence of the adjacent ethmoid bones (arrow in wild type), but no apparent defects in other membrane bones such as the occipital (o). (L) Frontal sections of E15.5 skulls, showing cleft palate (palate in wild type is indicated by arrowhead) and deformed nasal cartilage (arrow in mutant) in mutants. t, tongue. (M) Ctgf mutant neonates exhibit deformation of Meckel's cartilage and shortened mandibles. Scale bars: 1 mm.