Fig. 1

Increased myofibroblast in mouse AVF thickening. Sham operated IVC specimens were obtained 6 weeks post-operation. AVF specimens were obtained at 2, 4, and 6 weeks post-operation. A–D Masson trichrome stained sections. E–H Expression of αSMA shown by IHC. I–L IF images double stained for vimentin and αSMA (arrowhead, double-positive cells). M Quantification of vein thickness measured in Masson trichrome stained sections. N Quantification of αSMA expression measured in IHC sections. O Quantification of the αSMA/vimentin merged area measured in IF images. P Quantification of αSMA/vimentin double-positive cells in tunica media. Data are presented as median, 1st and 3rd quartiles, maximal and minimal values in the box plots (n = 6 per group). P values in M–P were determined by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction. Insignificant P values are not shown. Images were obtained using the TissueFAXS system. CKD chronic kidney disease, AVF arteriovenous fistula, IVC inferior vena cava, IHC immunohistochemistry, αSMA smooth muscle alpha-actin, IF immunofluorescence, Lu lumen