In Vivo Remodeling of Fibroblast-Derived Vascular Scaffolds Implanted for 6 Months in Rats

Figure 4

Comparative immunofluorescence of a midsection sample of the fibroblast-derived vascular scaffold before (a, d, g) and after implantation (b, e, h) and native rat aortas (c, f, i). Scaffolds and native rat aortas were stained for alpha smooth muscle actin (a–c), calponin (d–f), and Von Willebrand Factor (vWF; g–i) and counterstained with Hoechst for cell nuclei. In all cases, the staining of unimplanted scaffolds was negative (a, d, g). Following 6 months of implantation, grafts stained positively for alpha smooth muscle actin and calponin (b, e), vWF (h). Scale bars: 50 μm. : luminal side.

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