FIG. 2.

Coculture of HCASMCs and HCAECs on porous and interconnected three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds. (A) Images (top) of rod-like and sectioned polyurethane scaffold discs (0.5 mm), and scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images (bottom) of porous scaffolds using NH₄Cl (180–210 μm). Scale bar=500 μm. (B) SEM of porous 3D polyurethane scaffolds under higher magnification. Scale bar=50 μm. HCASMCs were seeded into 3D porous scaffolds and cultured for 16 days. Confocal microscopy after staining for F-actin [(C), green; magnification=40×] showed that HCASMCs were densely packed and covered the scaffold surface. Nuclei are labeled blue. (D) HCASMCs were sparsely seeded into 3D scaffold and were cultured for 14 days prior to coculture. Confocal microscopy showed that HCASMCs were labeled by CellTracker Green. Following CellTracker Red-labeled HCAEC seeding and cocultured for 24 h (E) and 48 h (F), the cells were imaged. Nuclei are labeled blue. More red-stained cells were encountered by 48 h compared with 24 h, suggesting proliferation of the endothelial cells. Magnification=40×. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea