Fig. 6

a Average CLE image scores at 24 weeks. Representative CLE images were evaluated with our 10-point system based on loss of co-planarity, vessel dilation, sprouting, irregular vessel pattern and extravasation. Images of the RAS-unmodulated group displayed the expected microvessel patterns. The higher scores of images from the AOM-treated mice indicate microvessel abnormalities in the RAS-unmodulated and AngII groups (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Losartan treatment mitigated vessel derangements observed with no significant difference between the Losartan alone (saline) and AOM + Losartan groups (p = 0.49). Error bars represent standard error of the mean. b Representative CLE images at 16 weeks. The left-most column (column 1) shows representative images from saline-treated mice in both RAS-unmodulated (upper panels) and Losartan (lower panels) groups. The right columns (columns 2–4) show images from AOM-treated mice in RAS-unmodulated (upper row) and Losartan (lower row) groups prior to tumor development. At 16 weeks, the RAS-unmodulated group (upper row) displays vessel dilation, the sprouting of new, tiny vessels and an overall disruption in the normal, honeycomb pattern observed in the images of saline mice (i.e. left column). In the Losartan group (lower row), while there are a few aberrations in vessel patterns, the dilation and sprouting changes are not prominent