Fig. 2
a HPMEC were stimulated with 100 ng/ml of VEGF165a, VEGF165b or without stimulation (control) for 10 min. Then they were fixed, permeabilised and immunostained for VE-cadherin. Control and VEGF165b: straight and linear distribution of VE-cadherin at the cell junctions were observed (see arrows). VEGF165a: distribution of VE-cadherin in a zig-zag pattern with the appearance of gaps between the cells (see arrows) (magnification x40). b Actin and nucleus staining in HPMEC in different conditions. Control: actin filament distributed mainly at the cell periphery between the cell-cell junctions. VEGF165a: disruption of the cortical actin frame with filopodia and stress fibre formation across the cells (arrows). VEGF165b: mixed field with the appearance of actin at the cell periphery and visible filopodia (magnification x40). (n = 5, representative image shown)