Fig. 2

PTH enhances cell migration to the fractured rib. Rats were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery. Chest wall samples were harvested and processed for histological labeling of hMSCs to allow quantification of cell homing to rib fractures. Tissue slides were scanned using confocal microscopy imaging, and the DiI-positive cells were counted with the aid of ImageJ software. The percentage of DiI-positive cells among DAPI-positive cells was calculated as well (a) (^* p ≤ 0.5, two-way ANOVA, n = 5). A qualitative analysis was performed on slides stained for stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), amphiregulin (Amp), and the DiI-stained transplanted MSCs (b). Yellow arrows indicate bone defect margins. MSCs mesenchymal stem cells, PTH parathyroid hormone