FIG. 6.

Histological and immunohistochemical findings in explanted decellularized porcine 15-mm-diameter aortic roots following 6 months implantation in the right ventricular outflow tract of juvenile sheep. (A) H&E-stained section of the wall of aortic root EDP1 showing the presence of a neointima and area of root without cells present and area of root that had recellularized (×40). (B) Wall from aortic root EDP1 immunostained for vimentin clearly showing the extent of recellularization of the implanted tissue (×40). (C) Aortic root EDP1 immunostained for Factor VIII showing the endothelialization of the leaflets (×40). (D) Aortic root EDP7 stained by Van Gieson (×40). (E) Aortic root EDP7 immunostained for α-SMA showing the vascularized adventitia and smooth muscle cells in the aortic wall (×40). (F) Aortic root EDP1 immunostained for α-SMA showing that the majority of cells in the leaflet were negative for this smooth muscle cell marker (×100). (G) Aortic root EDP1 and (H) aortic root EDP7 showing a clear wall of macrophages demarking the interface between the acellular and cellularized tissues (×40). (I) Aortic root EDP3 taken in from the calcified wall area immunostained for CD3 showing the presence of T cells (×40). (J) Aortic root EDP3 taken from the calcified wall area immunostained for MAC again showing a clear wall of macrophages demarking the interface between the acellular and cellularized tissues (×100).