Human Umbilical Cord Wharton Jelly-Derived Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells, in Biohybrid Scaffolds, for Experimental Skin Regeneration

Figure 2

DE subcutaneous transplantation. (a) The method followed to insert DE subcutaneously. (b) The representative image of hUCMS maintained in normal culture conditions and staining with Ku80, a human nuclear-specific protein. The typical nuclear shape by staining of this protein is evident. (c) hUCMS in the scaffold preserve a clear positivity for Ku80 without environmental interferences. The appearance of cells and the scaffold stained with Ku80 is shown to fully appreciate the same analysis performed on DE. (d) Retrieval of DE at indicated times. DE is coated on the overlying skin in all animals treated and at all examined times. At the time of sacrifice, the skin graft area was overturned and this allows appreciation of DE well adherent to the overlying skin. In the implant area, it is not possible to detect signs of rejection or inflammation. On the contrary, an important vascularization at 7 days, fading away with the progress of the graft wound healing, appears. The DE is clearly visible at all times of the analysis. Representative images of the central sections of DE stained with H&E, Masson, and keratins. In any histological image of H&E, numbered rectangles indicate the respective magnification on the side. For some representative areas, immunofluorescence analysis for Ku80 showing the persistence of hUCMS up to 21 days is shown. In explants made at 42 days, positive Ku80 is very doubtful. In the sections of the central area of DE made with Masson staining or keratin staining, the squares indicate the areas that are presented enlarged in Figure 3. Tree mice were used for each time point.

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