FIG. 3.

Histologic sections of decellularized epiglottis implanted subcutaneously in donkeys for 1 month. Note the maintenance of structures. A few cells were seen to invade the bulk of the scaffold; however, invasion was observed in the glands. No foreign body reaction or fibrotic encapsulation was observed. Some glycosaminoglycan and the majority of the elastin remain intact. (A) Hematoxylin and eosin, (B) safranin O (red=glycosaminoglycan), and (C) Verhoeff's elastic stain (black=elastin). Note glandular structures (G), perichondrium (arrow), and elastic cartilage (E). Magnification=4× objective, scale bar=300 μm. Inset magnification=20× objective, scale bar=100 μm. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea