Fig. 7

CD146 expression on 3D pre-vascularized hydrogel. Representative confocal images of HDMECs co-cultured with CD146⁺ pericytes and fibroblasts for three weeks in 3D collagen type I hydrogel. (n = 3 independent donors). A CD31 (red) and Prox1 (green) staining shows the developed vascular network composed of both blood and lymphatic capillaries. Scale bar: 100 μm. B Quadruple staining for CD146 (red), Lyve1 (blue), NG2 (green), and CD31 (white), shows that CD146 is expressed only on blood capillaries (CD31⁺Lyve1⁻), while lymphatic capillaries (CD31⁺Lyve1⁺) lack CD146 expression. Pericyte-like cells positive for NG2 are detected only around blood capillaries (CD31⁺Lyve1⁻) mimicking pericyte investment of the vessel and are not present on lymphatic capillaries. Scale bar: 100 μm. C, D Representative confocal images of CD146 and CD31 staining with NG2 (C) or αSMA (D) show the presence of pericytes-like cells double-positive for CD146⁺NG2⁺ (C, inset II, arrows) or CD146⁺αSMA⁺ (D, inset II, arrows), which surround blood capillaries. The presence of NG2-single positive cells is also observed around capillaries (C, inset I). Scale bar: 100 μm, inset 50 μm