Fig. 4

Tissue remodeling and extracellular matrix deposition in explanted grafts at 3 months compared with the native aorta. A Cross-sectional images of native vessels and regenerated grafts (top and bottom rows, respectively) were immunostained to examine endothelial cells (green), smooth muscle cells (red), and the distribution of contractile smooth muscles (myosin heavy chain [red]). Endothelial cells were stained with anti-vWF antibody (first column; green, DAPI is stained blue; P = 0.007). Smooth muscle cells were stained with anti-α-SMA antibody. B L = Lumen area (± standard deviation) of PCL/PDO grafts measured from histological images in millimeters (P = 0.01). C Mean fluorescence intensity of vWF-positive cells measured from immunofluorescence images. Mean fluorescence intensity of myosin heavy chain (MHC)-positive cells measured from immunofluorescence images (P = 0.0026). Data are mean ± standard deviation. *P < 0.05; n = 5