Figure 2

Hoxa3-lacZ expression in major blood vessels. (A-E) Prominent expression (blue) was detected by whole-mount X-Gal staining of 6 wk old Hoxa3-lacZ transgenic mice in external jugular vein (panel A), aortic arch (AA) and all major vessels in the aortic arch region including innominate and left carotid artery, pulmonary vein (PA), and subclavian artery (panel B); strong expression was also detected in the descending thoracic aorta (DA) and intercostal arteries (panel C), as well as the common iliac artery and proximal femoral artery (panel D); Hoxa3-lacZ expression in the common carotid artery exhibits a distinct anterior boundary near the branch point into facial and occipital carotid arteries (panel E); anterior points to the top in panels A-C, and E, and to the right in panel D; please note the distal expression boundary in the femoral artery just below the branch point of the internal iliac. LA: left atrium; LV: left ventricle; RA: right atrium; thy: thyroid gland.