Fig. 8.

In vivo macrophage phenotype characterization. a) Immunohistochemical analysis of macrophages stained with M2 phenotypic marker antibodies (CD206, green), pan-macrophage marker (CD68, red), and nuclei (DAPI, blue) in tissue slices from the rat defect sites. Quantitative analysis of overall b) CD68⁺ cell ratio and c) CD206⁺ cell ratio in tissue slices. d) Fluorescence intensities of CD206 markers at varying distances to the 3D-scaffold ridges. e) Schematic representation of accelerated bone repair via osteo-immunomodulation with the cytokine immuno-functionalized 3D scaffolds. (*: p < 0.05).