Table 2.

Histological stains used in this study, their visualisation and how they are imaged.

Stain	Visualisation	Imaging
Alcian blue	Sulphated mucans, such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), stain blue	Brightfield
Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)	Haematoxylin stains acidic structures, like cell nuclei, purple-blue and eosin stains basic features, like cytoplasmic filaments, membranes and fibres, pink	Brightfield
Picrosirius red	Collagen stains red, while PLM selectively highlights collagen birefringence allowing for visualisation of the orientation	Brightfield + PLM81
Verhoeff’s	Elastin stains black	Brightfield