Fig. 6. Combined activities of Hhip and Ptch during pancreas development and
endocrine cell development. Hematoxylin/Eosin staining (A-D) shows a stepwise
decline in pancreatic epithelial size and branching associated with the loss
of Hhip (Hip1 in figure) and Ptch (Ptch1
in figure) alleles (throughout the figure dorsal is towards the top and
anterior towards the left). Morphometric analysis was used to outline and
quantify pancreatic epithelium (A-D,K, blue
Hhip+/+;Ptch+/+, n=5; green,
Hhip+/+;Ptch+/, n=3;
red, Hhip/;Ptch+/+,
n=3; yellow,
Hhip/;Ptch+/;
n=4; #no significant difference, *P<0.05,
**P<0.01). Staining for glucagon-(red; E-G) and Isl1-(brown; H-J)
expressing cells within the pancreatic epithelium and quantification of both
cell types (L, green,
Hhip+/+;Ptch+/ n=3;
red, Hhip/;Ptch+/+
n=3; yellow,
Hhip/;Ptch+/
n=3; #no significant difference, *P<0.05; Glucagon,
Mann-Whitney test; Isl1, Student's t-test) reveals additive
requirements of Hhip and Ptch for endocrine cell differentiation. Arrowheads
indicate Isl1-positive cells within pancreatic epithelium. Yellow cell in E
correspond to autofluorescing erythrocytes.