FIG. 3.

Enhanced HUVEC survival in ischemic limb muscle by grafting as spheroids. (a) Immunofluorescent staining for caspase-3 (green) of ischemic limb tissues retrieved at 3 days after HUVEC grafting. HUVECs were double-stained with HNA (red). Apoptosis of transplanted HUVECs (arrows) was reduced in the spheroid group. Scale bars=100 μm. (b) RT-PCR analysis for human proapoptotic (BAD) and antiapoptotic (Bcl-2) factor at 3 days after HUVECs grafting. (c) The ratio of caspase-3-positive cells (apoptotic cells) to HNA-positive cells (transplanted HUVECs) and the ratio of HNA-positive cells (transplanted cells) to 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-positive cells (total cells) in the ischemic region (*p<0.05). HNA-positive cells and HNA/caspase-3 double-positive cells were counted as well. HNA, human nuclear antigen. Color images available online at www.liebertonline.com/tea