Figure 4

Immunohistomorphology of the porcine saphenous vein before and after vein graft preparation in the PSV model. PSV (n = 4) were harvested and prepared using the AP and OP technqiues, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded. Tissue sections were stained with Van Geison’s stain to visualize histomorphology (top row), or lectin (second row) and antibody against endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, third and fourth row) to examine endothelial integrity. Whole slide imaging was performed at 20X. Fourth row show enlarged area indicated for eNOS staining. Scale bar = 100 \(\mu \)m. Brown = positive staining. Representative images of staining from 1 pig shown. UP, unprepared; AP, after standard vein graft preparation technique; OP, after optimized vein graft preparation technique, L, lumen; M, medial layer. Arrows indicate endothelial disruption observed in the AP tissues.