Fig. 1

KO of RBP-Jκ blocks neointima formation and the expression of VSMC markers. A–C AVFs were created in WT and RBP-Jκ^f/f/ELLA-ERCre⁺ mice after tamoxifen induction. Representative images show H & E and immunostainings of the α-SMA and RBP-Jκ (A). B and C Density analysis of the expression of α-SMA and RBP-Jκ in AVFs that were created in WT and global RBP-Jκ KO mice (n = 5, *, p < 0.05 vs. WT controls; Mann–Whitney test was used for statistical analysis; black scales = 50 µm; red scales = 200 µm). D and E Representative images and densitometry analysis of the expression of RBP-Jκ in arteries and AVFs that were created in WT mice (n = 5, *p < 0.05 compared with aorta group; #p < 0.05 compared with carotid artery group; one-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis). F and G AVFs were created in WT and VSMC^{RBP−Jκ KO} mice after tamoxifen induction. Representative images show α-SMA immunostainings of the AVFs created in uremic WT and VSMC^{RBP−Jκ KO} mice (n = 5, *p < 0.05 vs. WT controls; Mann–Whitney test was used for statistical analysis; black scale bars = 50 µm; red scale bars = 200 µm)