Fig. 2.

FACS gating strategy for EC collection. Seven cell surface markers and one viability marker were used to gate the EC candidates. Cells were first gated to exclude debris, doublets and dead cells identified by positive Aqua Amine stain. After gating on the viable single cells, the leukocytes (CD45⁺), macrophages (CD11b⁺) and platelets (CD42b⁺) were eliminated. EC candidates were first selected by CD31 and CD34, and then CD105 and CD146.