Figure 2.Schematic representation (left) and corresponding images (right) (40x magnification) of EPC treated with 10 ug/ml LPS for 24 h. During LPS treatment, EPC were plated on culture plates (A) (without HA-hydrogel embedding), embedded in HA-hydrogels (B), or embedded in HA-hydrogels along with MSC (C). Embedding EPC in HA-hydrogels improved EPC viability and resistance to endotoxins, an effect that was considerably enhanced when EPC were co-embedded with MSC. To determine cell viability, cells were subject to a LIVE/DEAD assay in which live cells were stained green with calcein and dead cells were stained red with ethidium homodimer.