Fig. 1

CD146 expression in normal human skin. A, B, C Representative immunofluorescence images of CD146 and CD31 of normal human skin. Co-localization between CD146 and CD31 is observed on the majority of capillaries, in both upper and lower dermis. A small fraction of CD31 positive capillaries results negative for CD146 (arrow and inset). Single positive cells for CD146 are observed around CD31 positive endothelial cells. Scale bar: A, B: 100 µm, C: 50 µm, inset: 20 µm. D Double immunofluorescence analysis of CD146 and PLVAP shows that CD146 co-localizes with PLVAP-positive endothelial cells and is expressed in the surrounding perivascular cells. Scale bar: 50 µm. E Triple immunofluorescence staining for CD146, PLVAP and CD31 confirms the co-localization between CD146, PLVAP and CD31. A fraction of CD31⁺CD146⁻PLVAP⁻ is observed, probably corresponding to lymphatic capillaries (asterisk). (n = 3 independent donors). Scale bar: 50 µm. White dashed lines indicate the epidermal-dermal junction