Figure 2.

Histology and immunohistochemistry. (a and b) HE-stained sections of non-seeded (a) and prevascularized (b) implants. Broken line = implant border, arrowheads = mesh fibers. (c–e) Polarized light microscopy of Sirius red-stained sections of normal skin (c), non-seeded (d) and prevascularized (e) Integra. (f) Quantification of total collagen ratio (implant/skin). Mean ± SEM, n = 8, **P < 0.001 vs. non-seeded control. (g–i and k–m) Immunohistochemical staining of microvessels (g–i, white arrowhead = CD31⁺/GFP⁺ microvessel) and lymphatic vessels (k–m, white arrowhead = LYVE-1⁺/GFP⁺ lymphatic vessel, empty arrowhead = LYVE-1⁺/GFP⁻ lymphatic vessel) within prevascularized Integra 21 days after implantation. (j and n) Quantification of microvessel density (mm⁻²) and lymphatic vessel density (mm⁻²). Mean ± SEM, n = 8, **P < 0.001 vs. non-seeded control. Scale bars: a and b = 800 µm, c–e = 20 µm, g–i = 20 µm, k–m = 30 µm.