Effect of LYVE-1 knockdown in LEC on FGF2 activity. (A) FGF2 concentration-dependent proliferation of LEC with down-regulated LYVE-1. LECs were transfected for 72 hours with LYVE-1 siRNA or ctr siRNA. Cell proliferation was determined by cell proliferation reagent WST-1. (B-D) Effect of LYVE-1 down-regulation on endothelial tube formation of LECs. LECs were transfected for 24 hours with LYVE-1 siRNA or ctr siRNA and then basal and FGF2-induced capillary tube formation of LECs were performed as indicated in “Methods.” Images of tubulogenesis processed by the Wimasis.com platform. (B) Diagrams of total branching points (C) and number of loops (D). Values are the means ± SD (n = 3).