Fig. 3

Inactivation of Wnt2bb disrupts chondrocyte maturation. A: Representative images demonstrating chondrocytes of pharyngeal arches 1 and 2 stained with Alcian blue and hematoxylin in WT and wnt2bb−/− embryos at 5 dpf. The right panels show the corresponding schematics outlining the chondrocytes. B: Representative images of ceratobranchial chondrocytes stained with Alcian blue and hematoxylin in WT and wnt2bb−/− embryos at 5 dpf. The lower panels display the corresponding schematics outlining the chondrocytes. C–F: Comparison of the size, shape, and arrangement of pharyngeal chondrocytes in WT and wnt2bb−/− embryos with a Tg(fli1:EGFP) background. 3D reconstruction was performed using Imaris software. The dotted lines and asterisks represent individual cells subjected to in-depth analysis via 3D reconstruction. The volume of each chondrocyte in pharyngeal arch 1 of WT (n = 4) and wnt2bb−/− (n = 3) embryos was quantified in (D). The volume of each chondrocyte in pharyngeal arch 2 of WT and wnt2bb−/− embryos was quantified in F (n = 6). G: An illustration demonstrating the comparison of chondrocyte size, shape, and arrangement between wild-type and wnt2bb−/− mutants. ∗∗∗, P < 0.001 (student's t-test). WT, wild-type; PA, pharyngeal arch; cb, ceratobranchial. Scale bar, 20 μm (A–C, E).