Table 2.
Semi-quantitative image analysis of elastin, fibrillin I, and III. Total positivity of the stain was analyzed using Spectrum software. Positivity was then quantitated as strong, medium, or weak, depending on intensity/darkness of each pixel. Increased elastin and fibrillin I were seen in all samples, with the exception of rib cartilage. Fibrillin III was present in the TE samples (PLGA-supported greater than pellet), with absent staining in endogenous tissues.
| Stain | Tissue | % Positive | %Strong+ | %Medium+ | % Weak+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elastin | Conchal bowl | 49 | 1 | 18 | 29 |
| Microtia | 47 | 1 | 15 | 31 | |
| Preauricular Tag | 38 | 1 | 11 | 26 | |
| Rib | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Pellet | 48 | 2 | 14 | 32 | |
| PLGA | 30 | 1 | 5 | 25 | |
| Fibrillin I | Conchal bowl | 97 | 26 | 46 | 24 |
| Microtia | 96 | 22 | 47 | 27 | |
| Preauricular Tag | 99 | 48 | 41 | 10 | |
| Rib | 41 | 1 | 12 | 27 | |
| Pellet | 89 | 29 | 39 | 22 | |
| PLGA | 90 | 23 | 42 | 24 | |
| Fibrillin III | Conchal bowl | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Microtia | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | |
| Preauricular Tag | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |
| Rib | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Pellet | 55 | 6 | 20 | 29 | |
| PLGA | 92 | 11 | 50 | 30 |