Fig. 6

Engraftment of transplanted laryngeal clonal cells and their roles in irradiation-induced fibrosis or inflammation. a Red fluorescent dye PKH26-labeled laryngeal MSCs were observed in the irradiated VF site. Representative image of HE staining and MTC staining at 4 weeks post transplantation. At least three random tissue sections per VF from five rats were chosen for evaluation. Scale bars, 20 or 50 μm. b Western blot analysis was performed to detect expression of TGF-β1, SMAD2/3, and p-SMAD2/3 in rat VFs. Data representative of three independent experiments. One-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post-hoc test. ***P < 0.001 vs Normal; ###P < 0.001 vs Vehicle. Refer to Additional file 1 for complete statistical values. MSC mesenchymal stromal cells, VF vocal fold, RT radiation, EM epiglottic mucosa, LP lamina propria, MF macula flava