Figure 3 | Scientific Reports

Figure 3

From: Synergy of endothelial and neural progenitor cells from adipose-derived stem cells to preserve neurovascular structures in rat hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

Figure 3

Improvements in neurovascular structures in HI-injured brain were evaluated with specific staining for vessels (RECA, n = 8), neurons (NeuN, n = 7) and astrocytes (GFAP, n = 7) in the cortex and hippocampus.

(a) The microvascular structure of the injured hemisphere of HI brains was measured by vessel density in the RECA-stained images after different specified cell therapies. (b) Cortical vessel density was increased after the transplantation of ASCs, EPCs, NPCs, or E+N combined therapy. However, the vessel density in the hippocampus was increased when treated with EPCs or the E+N combination. Increases in NeuN (+) cells were observed in the cortex and hippocampus of rats treated with ASCs, EPCs, NPCs, or the E+N combination. (c) After HI injury, staining with GFAP showed reactive astrocyte morphology without cell therapy. (d) Injection of ASCs, NPCs, or the E+N combination inhibited astrocyte activation, but this was not observed with EPC treatment. Scale bar: 100 μm. *p < 0.05 compared to PBS-injected rats.

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