FIG. 4.

Histological analysis of mandibular bone defect healing. Coronal sectioned rat mandible defects at 6 weeks postimplantation. (A–D) E1001(1k) scaffolds exhibit blue autofluorescence under DAPI filter. (A′–D′) Identical sections stained with von Kossa show black staining of mineralized tissue formation within the scaffolds (white arrows). (E) ED. (F) Natural bone control. (G–J) Gemori trichrome-stained specimens show new bone formation stained blue, and soft tissue stained brown under bright field microscopy. (G′–J′) Identical sections viewed under GFP fluorescence show E1001(1k) scaffold autofluorescence in green. Scale bar = 500 μm (A–F), and 50 μm (G–J, G′–J′). BMP, bone morphogenetic protein; CH, high cell-seeding density; CL, low cell-seeding density; SA, scaffold alone. ED, empty defect; SA, scaffolds. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea