Fig. 2.

Scheme of thermosensitive bioadhesive KGF-EPL-HP hydrogel for injured uterus (A). Adhesive evaluation of the KGF-EPL-HP hydrogel. The adhesive force of KGF-EPL-HP hydrogels against gelatin substrate in comparison with HP hydrogels on the left. The remaining percentage of KGF on excised rabbit uterine mucosa for KGF-EPL-HP hydrogels with various EPL concentrations after continuous rinsing with PBS on the right ​(∗p<0.05; ∗∗∗p<0.001; n ​= ​3) (B). Immunohistochemistry images of Ki67 (a–d), CK (e–h) and CD31 (i–l) staining on day 3 after treatment. Positively stained cells were marked by red arrows (scale bar ​= ​100 ​μm) (C). The number of Ki67-positive cells in rats treated with KGF-EPL-HP hydrogel was significantly higher than that of rats treated with other groups (a–d). The obvious keratinization of epithelial cells of the endometrium was observed in groups of KGF-HP hydrogel or KGF-EPL-HP-90 hydrogel (e−h). There was a large number of neonatal microvessels were formed in group of KGF-EPL-HP- 90 hydrogel (i–l). TUNEL assay kit analysis of the injured uterus 3 days after treatment. Red line: the border of the basal layer; blue: cell nuclei, DAPI; green: apoptotic cells. Original magnification: ×200, scale ​= ​1 ​μm (D). Reprinted (adapted) with permission from Ref. [60]. Copyright (YEAR) American Chemical Society. (Reproduced with permission of Ref. [60])