FIG. 3.

Vascular phenotypes and morphology. (A) Vessels stained positively for CD31, VE-cadherin, and vWF (endothelial markers). (B) Cells clustered around the vessels were positive for αSMA and desmin (pericyte markers). (C) Vascular basement membrane proteins, collagen IV, and laminin were found along vessel tracks. (D–F) Optical slices from a confocal z-stack: (D) αSMA+ cells (red) stretched out against the glass beneath the vessels. (E) CD31+ vessels (green) propagated on top of this layer of cells, with some αSMA+ cells invested alongside. (F) Additional αSMA−/CD31− cells were located on top of the vessels (indicated by DAPI, blue), fully enveloping the vessel in a three-dimensional cellular environment. (G) Some vessels contained voids resembling patent lumens, demonstrated by the cross-section (dotted line) shown in (E). (F) The vessel tips were dense with filopodia. Scale bars=100 μm (A–C), 10 μm (D–G, I), and 2 μm (H). Color images available online at www.liebertonline.com/tea