Skin-Derived Precursor Cells Promote Angiogenesis and Stimulate Proliferation of Endogenous Neural Stem Cells after Cerebral Infarction

Figure 5

SKPs increase IZ and IBZ revascularization in MCAO model of rats. BrdU immunoreactive endothelial cells, α-SMA, and vWF vessels were detected in (a) IBZ and (b) IZ. Brain sections were immunostained for ((a)(I), (a)(III); (b)(I), (b)(III)) α-SMA or for ((a)(II), (a)(IV); (b)(II), (b)(IV)) both BrdU (green) and vWF (red) in SKPs group (top) and PBS (bottom). ((i), (ii), (iii), and (iv)) Higher magnification of indicated by the white box. Arrowhead shows BrdU positive cells that were colocalized with vWF. Scale bars, 10 μm. (c) The pattern of implanted SKPs after cerebral brain ischemia. SVZ and IZ were indicated by the black box, shadow area, and infracted zone. Quantitative data of number of (d) vWF or (e) α-SMA immunoreactive vessels and (f) BrdU immunoreactive endothelial cells. Injected SKPs () significantly () increased the number of endothelial cells and the density of vessels in the IZ and IBZ compared with group treated with PBS ().

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