Figure 1.

Sparse Collagen Fibers and Fewer Mesenchymal Cells in Bioprosthetic Valves

(A) Masson’s trichrome staining and immunohistochemical staining for vimentin and anti-α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) of explanted bioprosthetic valves (eBVs) and normal native and aortic valve stenosis (AS) valves. The left panels are whole views of the valve leaflets. Scale bars, 100 μm. The right panels show colocalizations of vimentin and αSMA in the valves. (B) Quantitative data of the ratios (%) of red/blue areas of Masson’s trichrome staining, vimentin-positive cells, and α-SMA-positive cells in the valves. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s multiple-comparisons test (all comparisons). ∗∗P < 0.01 and ∗∗∗P < 0.001.