Fig. 6. Expression of ECM components is altered in Ctgf mutants. (A) Immunostaining for type II collagen protein is at comparable intensities in P0 growth plates of Ctgf mutants and wild-type littermates. (B) Levels of type X collagen mRNA are indistinguishable in wild-type and Ctgf mutant growth plates. (C) Safranin-o staining demonstrates that proteoglycan levels are normal in the resting and proliferative zones, and that the hypertrophic zone, which is not stained intensely by safranin-O, is expanded in mutants. (D,E) Expression of aggrecan (D) and link protein (E) is reduced in P0 growth plates of Ctgf mutants.