Fig. 9. Disrupted Aqp5 and Foxp2 gene expression in SP-C/G6en embryos. Radioactive in situ hybridization analysis was performed on wild-type (A,C,E,G,I,K), SP-C/G6en (B,D,H,J,L), and SP-C/en (F) embryos at E17.5 (A,B,G-J) and E19.5 (C-F,K,L). Aqp5 is expressed at low levels primarily in distal airway epithelium at E17.5 in wild-type embryos (A). However, Aqp5 expression is not observed at appreciable levels in the lungs of E17.5 SP-C/G6en embryos (B). By E19.5, Aqp5 is expressed at high levels in the airways of wild-type (C,E) embryos but its expression is significantly reduced in the airways of SP-C/G6en embryos (D). SP-C/en mice express normal levels of Aqp5 as compared to wild-type littermates (F). At E17.5, Foxp2 is expressed at similar levels in both wild-type (G and I) and SP-C/G6en (H,J) embryos in the distal airway epithelium. By E19.5, Foxp2 gene expression has decreased in wild-type (K) embryos but remains high in the distal airways of SP-C/G6en (L) embryos. Note the dilated nature of the distal airways in SP-C/G6en embryos as highlighted by Foxp2 gene expression at E17.5 (H,J, red arrows). Sense probes for Aqp5 and Foxp2 did not produce a detectable hybridization signal (data not shown). Asterisks denote proximal airways in A-L. Scale bar: 250 µm (A-H,K,L), 67.5 µm (G,H).
