IL-17 (2 μg) induced angiogenesis in the matrigel plugs to a significantly greater degree compared to PBS control. Matrigel containing bFGF (20 ng/ml) served as positive control. The values represent the concentration of hemoglobin (g/dl)/plug weight (g) ± SE, with n=10. B. The histology was quantified on a score of 0-4 scale in matrigel plugs that contained PBS, IL-17 or VEGF employing H&E and Masson’s trichrome staining. A representative assay shows H&E (C, E and G) and Masson’s trichrome (D, F and H) staining of blood vessels in paraffin sections of matrigel plugs containing PBS (C and D), IL-17 (E and F) and FGF (G and H) that was histologically scored in B (original magnification × 200). Values demonstrate mean ± SE, with n=5. * represents p<0.05.