Figure 2: AMPK is involved in VEGF-induced in-vivo angiogenesis
500 µl of Matrigel mixed with 200 ng of VEGF plus 200 µg of heparin or with heparin alone was injected subcutaneously into wild type or AMPKα1-/- mice. Plugs were removed after 7 days, fixed in zinc fixative, and embedded in paraffin. Tissue sections were stained with anti-CD31 antibody and evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. Representative images (×400) and an analysis of the vascularized area are shown. The average CD31-positive area was calculated from four images/section and two sections/plug using a standard imaging software (mean ± S.E.; n=4 for control plugs, n=13 or 14 for VEGF-containing plugs in wild type or AMPKα1-/- mice, respectively).