FIG. 7.

Histological and immunohistochemical confirmation of osteophyte formation. (A–C) Gross appearance with indication of osteophyte formation (red-dotted line); (D–F) hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining with indication of the overgrowth structures (red-dotted line) and large-cell aggregates (asterisks); (G–I) Alcian blue staining for GAGs with indication of the cartilaginous outgrowth structure (red-dotted line); (J–L) immunohistochemical staining for type I collagen with indication of the fibrous outgrowth structures (red-dotted lines); (M–O) immunohistochemical staining of type II collagen with indication of the partially cartilaginous outgrowth (red-dotted line); (A, D, G, J, and M) MSCs in saline group; (B, E, H, K, and N) uninjured reference group; (C, F, I, L, and O) MSC-collagen microsphere group. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea