FIG. 8.

An overview of histological images in all three groups at the two time points. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Alcian Blue, Safranin O, Verhoeff-Van Gieson, and Sudan Black staining was performed. Normal epithelium (i.e., pseudostratified columnar) was present more often in the BMSC groups and at later time points. Immature cartilage was observed across all groups, but with a higher occurrence in the BMSC group. Fibroblasts and collagen were present in all subjects, mainly organizing around the scaffolds and within the scaffold. Normal connective fibroblastic tissue was observed inside the BMSC group scaffolds. Transverse sections are oriented with the scaffolded region at the top of the image and remaining native trachea rings at the bottom of the section (entire circumference of trachea section omitted due to space constraints). Scale bar represents 2 mm. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea