Click on image to view larger version.
Figure 7 Effects on endothelialization. (A) Representative photomicrographs of endothelialization, analyzed by CD34 staining, of unloaded polymer, integrin-binding cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp peptide (cRGD)-loaded, or bare-metal peri-stent tissue sections after 4 and 12 weeks (magnification 400x). (B) Quantification of endothelialization of unloaded polymer, cRGD-loaded, or bare-metal persistent tissue sections. (C) Electron microscopy of cRGD stent surfaces at 4 weeks showed uniform and complete endothelial coverage (left), whereas analysis of control stents showed incomplete endothelial coverage in the interstrut region. (D) The cRGD coating (left) significantly increased endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) recruitment as compared with control stents (right, magnification 200x). (E) Quantification of 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine (DiI)-labeled EPCs by fluorescent image analysis (top) or cell counting (bottom).