Figure 5

The assessment of angiogenic ability by a Matrigel plug perfusion assay. Representative pictures of Matrigel plug, or plug mixed with 25 ng/ml, 50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml GDF15 or 20 ng/ml VEGF in vivo 2 weeks after grafting (A). The ratio between Matrigel plug fluorescence and plasma fluorescence was analyzed, and there was no difference between 50 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml GDF15 groups. This ratio in the three experimental groups was higher than Matrigel alone, but lower than VEGF.