The Angiogenic Potential of DPSCs and SCAPs in an In Vivo Model of Dental Pulp Regeneration

Figure 8

Ultrastructural analysis of 3D constructs after 12 weeks of transplantation. (a) Negative control condition (Puramatrix). (b) DPSCs. (c) SCAPs. (d) DPSCs + SCAPs. All constructs contained differentially organized, vascularized connective tissue. (e) Nerve fibers were observed in the tissue surrounding the constructs. (f–h) Mineralized tissue was clearly present in DPSC constructs and sometimes contained cellular protrusions (white arrows). (i) Mature blood vessels of variable shapes and size were found in all experimental conditions. (j) Samples contained metabolically active cells, some of which comprised electron-dense vesicles (white arrow). (k) Active collagen secretion was also present in all constructs (Co). (l) Deposits of collagen, hydroxyapatite, and mineralized tissue were only present in the samples containing stem cells (De). Scale bar = 50 μm (a–d); 20 μm (e–i); 5 μm (l); 2 μm (j-k). Analysis was performed on two samples of each experimental condition.

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