Fig. 4.

Histological findings in the central zone. Proliferation of connective tissue was slightly enhanced in the partial MCAO and BM MNC group (a and b, Picrosirius red). In polarisation microscopy, connective tissue was identified as collagen type I (yellow, c) and type III (green, c, Picrosirius red). Blood vessel density was comparable between all groups (d) and numerous blood vessels could be identified in the infarct core (c, white arrow; e, black arrows, Picrosirius red). Lymphocytic infiltration was less in both, the partial MCAO and BM MNC group as compared to total MCAO (f, p < 0.01). Lymphocytes (g, white arrows, HE) were mostly found together with vast macrophages/foamy fat cells. No inter-group differences (but highest medians) were observed for mineral deposits (h) in the central zone of BM MNC-treated subjects. Calcifications could clearly be identified by black staining (i, white arrows, Kossa). All photomicrographs presented were taken from a total MCAO subject. Graphs: white line in box plots indicates the median, whiskers give the 95% confidence interval. Pia pia mater, cz central zone (former ischaemic core). */**p < 0.05/0.01 versus total MCAO. Scale bars in (b) and (c) represent 100 μm and scale bars in (e), (g) and (i) represent 50 μm