Fig. 2

Sfrp1 and Sfrp5 deletion renders hyperactivation of canonical Wnt signaling and disturbs EPC trophoblast differentiation. a, b Immunostaining and western blot analysis of active-β-catenin in WT and dKO placentas at E8.5. Cy3-labeled β-catenin in red, DAPI-labeled nuclei in blue. Arrowheads indicated trophoblast cells with nuclear localization of active-β-catenin. β-actin served as the internal control. c, d The expression of Ascl2 and Hand1 was revealed by in situ hybridization in the WT and dKO placentas at E8.5 and E9.5. Images in a, c, and d are representatives of at least three independent experiments. Al, allantois; Dec, decidua; EPC, ectoplacental cone; Ch, chorion; Cp, chorionic plate; Sp, spongiotrophoblast; TGC, trophoblast giant cell. Scale bar, 100 μm