VEGF increases cell survival in the bone regeneration site of critical-sized calvarial defects. TUNEL assay shows a reduction in apoptotic cells (with brown-stained nuclei as indicated by arrows) in the BMP4+VEGF group compared with the BMP4 group at 7 days (a–d) and, more strikingly, at 10 days PI (e–h). c, d, g, and h display higher magnifications of a, b, e, and f, respectively, at the area indicated by arrowheads. Magnification: a, b, e, and f, ×200; c, d, g, and h, ×1,200.