Figure 4.

Tissue Localization of Fibrinogen, PLG, Anti-APOE, and Anti-APCS

(A) Whole–valve leaflet views of the immunohistochemical images of the preimplanted and explanted bioprosthetic valves (BVs) and normal valve (left panels). Porcine-derived eBV6, which strongly detected fibrinogen and PLG by western blotting, was stained using antifibrinogen or PLG antibodies. Bovine-derived eBV5, which was strongly detected by APOE and APCS using western blotting, was stained using anti-APOE and APCS antibodies. Preimplanted porcine- and bovine-derived BVs were used according to immunohistochemical staining against each species. The right panels show high magnification of the areas surrounded by lines in the whole view of the left panels. Scale bars, 200 μm. Arrowheads indicate strongly stained areas. (B) Immunofluorescence costaining of fibrinogen/CD68 or PLG/CD68 in the BV. Scale bars, 20 μm. Abbreviations as in Figures 1, 2, and 3.