Effect of AdCMV.PlGF application on granulation tissue formation. A: Analysis of granulation tissue area in the central sections from wound specimens collected 7 days after wounding (6 days after treatment). The amount of granulation tissue is significantly increased in AdCMV.PlGF-treated wounds with respect to either AdCMV.LacZ- or saline-treated wounds and is similar to that present in healthy controls. *P < 0.05. B–D: Central sections of wounds treated with AdCMV.LacZ (B, lower magnification, and C, higher magnification) or AdCMV.PlGF (D, lower magnification, and E, higher magnification) collected 7 days after wounding (6 days after treatment) and stained with Masson’s trichrome. In AdCMV.LacZ-treated wounds the granulation tissue (GT) is mainly filled with fibrin (red) or a poor collagen matrix (green) and contains few cells. In AdCMV.PlGF-treated wounds, a mature granulation tissue with abundant collagen deposition and containing numerous cells, in particular fibroblasts, and vessels (arrows) fill the wound bed. White dots indicate the boundary between the dermis and the granulation tissue. Scale bars: B and D, 250 μm; C and E, 75 μm.