The Application of Three-Dimensional Collagen-Scaffolds Seeded with Myoblasts to Repair Skeletal Muscle Defects

Figure 3

The immunocompatibility of the scaffolds was examined in normal mice and SCID mice in vivo. Twenty days after implantation in the normal mouse model, nonseeded scaffolds were rejected by the host tissue (a). Twenty days after implantation in the SCID mouse model, nonseeded scaffolds were not rejected by the host tissue, and few host cells migrated into the scaffold (b). Twenty days after implantation in the SCID mouse model, LacZ-labeled C2C12 myoblast seeded scaffolds were well received in the host tissue (c). Also, LacZ⁺ cells were able to migrate into the surrounding host tissue. An immunofluorescent staining of CD31 (red) and vWF (green) was performed on the implanted seeded scaffolds 20 days after implantation (d).