Figure 4.

In vivo vascularization capacity of ad-MVFs: (a–f): Intravital fluorescence microscopy (blue light epi-illumination with contrast enhancement by 5% FITC–labeled dextran 150,000 i.v.) of ad-MVF-seeded collagen–glycosaminoglycan scaffolds (borders marked by broken lines in (a–c)) on day 3 (a–c) and 14 (d–f) after implantation into the dorsal skinfold chamber of C57BL/6 mice. The ad-MVFs were cultivated for 24 h in 4°C UW solution supplemented with vehicle (a, d), IGF-1 (b, e), or a combination of IGF-1 and IGFbp4 (c, f). Scale bars: (a–c) = 170 µm and (d–f) = 70 µm. (g) Perfused ROIs (%) and (h) functional microvessel density (cm cm⁻²) of ad-MVF-seeded collagen–glycosaminoglycan scaffolds directly (0d) as well as 3, 6, 10, and 14 days after implantation into dorsal skinfold chambers, as assessed by intravital fluorescence microscopy. The ad-MVFs were cultivated for 24 h in 4°C UW solution supplemented with vehicle (white circles, n = 8), IGF-1 (black circles, n = 8), or a combination of IGF-1 and IGFbp4 (gray circles, n = 8).

Mean ± SEM; ^*p < 0.05 vs vehicle; ^#p < 0.05 vs IGF-1 + IGFbp4.