Mesenchymal Stem Cells Stabilize Atherosclerotic Vulnerable Plaque by Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Fig 6
Influence of MSC administration on apoptotic cells in atherosclerotic plaques.
Apoptotic cells in the MSC and VP groups were mainly distributed in the lipid core and tunica media with few in the intima. However, in the SP group apoptotic cells were mainly located in the tunica media though a small number were present in the lipid core and intima (A). The number of apoptotic cells in the VP group plaques were significantly increased compared with the SP group (68.08±12.00 VS 32.67±5.85) (P < 0.05). After MSC transplantation, apoptotic cells decreased markedly compared with the VP group (45.17±9.66 VS 68.08±12.00) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the apoptotic cells in plaques of the MSC group were higher than that in the SP group.