Fig. 2

Evaluation of characteristics and functionalities of EPCs. a After isolation of EPCs from wild-type (WT) and Lnk-deficient mice, EPC surface markers, including Sca-1, c-Kit, CD34, and Flk-1, were analyzed on a FACS. b The graph shows the percentage of EPCs with surface markers among WT and Lnk-deficient EPCs. Values are mean ± SEM; ^** p < 0.01 compared to WT EPCs. c Proliferation of EPCs was evaluated in serum-free or complete media by a 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay. Values are mean ± SEM; ^** p < 0.01 compared to proliferation of WT EPC in a serum-free medium; ^## p < 0.01 compared to WT EPCs. d Tube formation capacity of HUVECs, WT EPCs, and Lnk-deficient EPCs was determined by a Matrigel tube formation assay (magnification × 40). e The graph shows the number of capillaries among HUVECs, WT EPCs, and Lnk-deficient EPCs. Values are mean ± SEM; ^** p < 0.01 compared to HUVECs and ^## p < 0.01 compared to WT EPCs. f Migration capacity was assessed by a wound scratch assay (magnification × 40). g The graph shows the number of migrating cells among WT EPCs and Lnk-deficient EPCs in response to VEGF or SDF-1α. Values are mean ± SEM; ^** p < 0.01 compared to WT mice