Figure 2

Graphs. (A-D) Graphes showing the time course of the semiquantitativly evaluated intensity of the extracellular matrix. (A, B) Intensity of collagen I and collagen III staining reached statistical significance 4 and 6 weeks after tendon injury (p < 0.05) (C, D) Aggrecan and versican semiquantitative grading showed no statistical differences between the hMSC-treated and control groups (E) Hematoxylin end eosin stained sections were evaluated for different criteria (linearity of their fibre structure, the shape of the tendon cells, the density of the tendon cells, inflammation, hemorrhage, and the thickness of the epitenon) and cumulative score are presented in the graph showing that hMSC-treated tendons had significantly higher scores 6 weeks after tendon injury (F). The number of blood vessels per mm² in the center of the lesion was calculated 2 and 6 weeks after tendon injury; neovascularization significantly increased in the hMSC-treated tendons.