Fig. 6

Transplanted hypo-ECFCs enhance secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ischemic limb muscle via STAT3 signaling. a, b ECFCs, si-STAT3-ECFCs, and scramble siRNA hypo-ECFCs were cultured in normoxic or hypoxic conditions for 12 h, and VEGF levels were determined by using ELISA and western blot analysis. The results are expressed as the mean ± SD. c Western blotting analyses of VEGF conducted 3 days after transplantation of nor-ECFCs, hypo-ECFCs, si-STAT3/hypo-ECFCs, or scramble siRNA/hypo-ECFCs. d Immunofluorescence staining for VEGF in ischemic tissues conducted 3 days after transplantation of nor-ECFCs, hypo-ECFCs, si-STAT3/hypo-ECFCs, or scramble siRNA/hypo-ECFCs (n = 7). **P < 0.01 vs. nor-ECFCs; ^## P < 0.01 vs. hypo-ECFCs; ^$$ P < 0.01 vs. si-STAT3/hypo-ECFC. ECFC endothelial colony-forming cell