Histological analysis. H&E, Masson's trichrome, Alcian blue, and alizarin red S staining in the intact (A–C), Nrm. Reg (D–F), sham (G–I), BC (J–L), mBMSC (M–O), MSX1 (P–R), MSX2 (S–U), and MSX1/2 (V–Y) groups. The H&E results showed that no apoptotic cells or tissues were found in any of the groups. Alcian blue-alizarin red S staining indicated that the region containing new bone callus was a blue color; we assumed the presence of cartilage tissues that were stained by Alcian blue.