Fig. 4

Altered goblet cell numbers are detected in klf4a morphants, klf4a-overexpressed, and NICD-overexpressed embryos.

Decreased goblet cell number is observed in 102- (A) and 120-hpf (B) klf4a-MO1 and klf4a-MO2-injected morphants as compared with klf4a-5mmMO1-, klf4a-5mmMO2-injected, and wild type embryos by alcian blue staining and goblet cell number quantification. Inlet figure shows a mature and an immature goblet cell. Error bars indicate the standard error. Student′s t-test was conducted to compare both immature and mature goblet cell numbers in klf4a morphants with those in either wild type, klf4a-5mmMO1- or klf4a-5mmMO2-injected embryos. (C) Co-injection klf4a mRNA with klf4a-MO1 and klf4a-MO2 can rescue both mature and immature goblet cell numbers by alcian blue staining and goblet cell number quantification. (D) klf4a overexpression increases goblet cell number by alcian blue staining and goblet cell number quantification. Error bars indicate the standard error. Student′s t-test was conducted to compare both mature and immature goblet cell numbers in klf4a-overexpressed embryos with those of either wild type or lacZ-overexpressed embryos. *p<0.05 exists only for the comparison of immature goblet cell number in klf4a-overexpressed and wild type embryos. (E) Co-injection klf4a and Notch1a NICD mRNAs can rescue both mature and immature goblet cell numbers by alcian blue staining and goblet cell number quantification.