Fig. 6: Multiplexed self-adaptable LA@PA-TA@C hydrogel promoted completed tracheal repair. | Nature Communications

Fig. 6: Multiplexed self-adaptable LA@PA-TA@C hydrogel promoted completed tracheal repair.

From: Multiplexed self-adaptable Janus hydrogels rescue epithelial malfunction to promote complete trachea repair

Fig. 6

a flow diagram of rabbit bioengineered tracheal reconstruction via TEC and LA@PA-TA@C hydrogel on Day 28. b survival curves of rabbits treated by groups (TEC, TEC/LA@PA-TA@C), n = 6. c respiratory frequency monitoring during 28 days post-reconstruction, area between pink lines shows the respiratory rate of healthy rabbits. d patency evaluation of different bioengineered tracheal grafts (TEC, TEC/LA@PA-TA@C) via CT scan and bronchoscope on Day 56 (28 days post-reconstruction). The arrow indicated the grafts. e gross view, lumen exhibition, and clinical grading. Scale bar in (d, e), 2 mm. f quantitative analysis of bioengineered tracheal patency. g–l assessment of epithelial functions in the reconstructed bioengineered trachea area, general view (HE), cilia regeneration (AC-Tub, green), epithelial stemness (CK-14, red), and cell nuclei (DAPI, blue). Scale bar was indicated in figures. g reconstructed trachea via only TEC (area in dashed box) on Day 56. h reconstructed bioengineered trachea via TEC/LA@PA-TA@C (area in dashed box) on Day 56. i SEM images, the blue area represented cilia cells, the yellow area represented goblet cells, the red area represented undifferentiated basal cells, and the gray area represented fibroplasia without epithelium. j quantitation of epithelium coverage rate in g, h. k quantitation of epithelial thickness in g, h. l quantitation of cilia cells coverage rate in  g, h. m–o assessment of tracheal cartilage regeneration. Alcian blue staining exhibited cartilage matrix deposit. m reconstructed via TEC. n reconstructed bioengineered trachea via TEC/LA@PA-TA@C. Scale bar, 1 mm. o Col II immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and 3D surface plot analysis. The yellow peaks in 3D surface plot represented the Col II area and intensity in IHC images, while the white area indicated no Col II deposition. Scale bar, 100 μm. n = 4 in TEC group, n = 5 in TEC/LA@PA-TA@C group, and n = 3 in native trachea control group. Source data are provided as a Source Data file. Data are presented as mean ± SD. All error bars represent SD. p values calculated by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test for multiple comparisons (≥3 groups) or two-tailed unpaired t-test for two-group comparisons.

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