Figure 2 | Scientific Reports

Figure 2

From: Self-assembled Collagen-Fibrin Hydrogel Reinforces Tissue Engineered Adventitia Vessels Seeded with Human Fibroblasts

Figure 2

Cytokine regimen requires both ascorbic acid and TGF-β for adventitia ring formation. (a) Diagram of the five cytokine simulation regimens. (b) Images of fibroblast rings on day 8 under GFP light to visualize collagen auto-fluorescence with three different growth factor stimulations of groups: 1 (ascorbic acid only), 2 (TGF-β only) and 3 (combined ascorbic acid and TGF-β). Ascorbic acid only resulted in thin rings; TGF-β only resulted in loose rings. Combination rings resulted in thicker, robust rings. Scale bars = 500 µm. (c) Trichrome staining of adventitia ring cross-sections of groups: 3 (ascorbic acid first), 4 (TGF-β first) and 5 (ascorbic acid and TGF-β simultaneously). Combined stimulation throughout the ring formation resulted in the thickest, most robust rings with significant collagen content (blue/purplish stain). Scale bars = 200 µm.

Back to article page