Figure 7.

Histologic Evaluations of Explanted IBTA Valves

(A) HE- and Masson’s trichrome–stained whole-leaflet views of the preimplanted Biosheet and explanted in-body tissue architecture (IBTA) valves (implantation term 3 and 12 months) (top panel). Scale bars, 500 μm. Macroscopic views of the explanted valves (bottom panel). (B) Masson’s trichrome, HE, and IHC for vimentin and FGB of the areas surrounded by lines in the whole view of right panels in A. Scale bars, 200 μm. (C) Surface structures of Masson’s trichrome–stained IBTA and pericardium-derived bioprosthetic valves for 12 months of implantation. Arrowheads indicate digested collagen fibers. (D) Quantifications of the infiltration foci per leaflet (top panel) and stained areas of immunohistochemistry against FGB (bottom panel). Ratios were calculated by dividing brown-stained areas by the entire area of the leaflets. Statistical analysis was conducted using analysis of variance, followed by Sidak’s multiple-comparisons test. (E) Whole-leaflet images of the explanted normal, IBTA (3 and 12 months), and pericardium-derived valves (3 and 12 months). All leaflets were immune stained with anti-FGB antibodies. Scale bar, 1 mm. (F) Schematic diagram of molecular mechanism regarding circulating proteins’ and cells’ infiltration. ∗P < 0.05 and ∗∗∗P < 0.001. PGB = plasminogen; other abbreviations as in Figures 3 and 6.