Extended Data Fig. 3: Characterization of bioconstructs in vitro and in vivo.
From: Bioinstructive scaffolds enhance stem cell engraftment for functional tissue regeneration
a, A representative image (left) and quantification (right) of the distribution of MuSCs within dECM scaffolds and cultured 24 h in vitro after cell seeding. Scale bar, 100 μm. b–e, Characterization of muscle formation, inflammation, and cytotoxicity of muscles subjected to VML lesions two weeks after treatment with Ctrl (dECM only), NCFGF(E), or NCFGF(E)/IGF(L) scaffolds. b, (left) Representative images of Gomori trichrome staining of muscles subjected to VML lesions. The dashed yellow line indicates the edge between the scaffold (above the line) and host tissue (below the line). Scale bar, 50 μm. (right) Quantification of centrally nucleated fibers (CNFs) based on trichrome stained images (n = 4 biologically independent experiments). c, Representative H&E stained images of muscles subjected to VML lesions. The dashed yellow line indicates the edge between the scaffold (above the line) and host tissue (below the line). Blood vessels are highlighted by the arrows. Scale bar, 100 μm. d, Representative images (left) and quantifications (right) of CD45+ cells in muscles subjected to VML lesions (n = 6 biologically independent experiments). Scale bar, 25 μm. e, Representative images (left) and quantifications (right) of TUNEL staining of muscles subjected to VML lesions (n = 6 biologically independent experiments). Scale bar, 50 μm. f, Representative images (left) and quantifications (right) of Raw264.7 macrophage polarization into M1 (iNOS+) and M2 (CD206+) macrophages following treatment with PBS (Ctrl), NCFGF(E), NCIGF(L), or NCFGF(E)/NCIGF(L) constructs (n = 5 independent synthesis experiments). Scale bar, 50 μm. Data in b, d-f are presented as the mean ± SEM. P values were determined by one-way ANOVA. *P ≤ 0.05, **P ≤ 0.01, ***P ≤ 0.001, ****P ≤ 0.0001; ns, not significant.
