Fig. 5

Both C-MSC and cryopreserved C-MSC transplantation induces rat calvarial bone regeneration. a Cultured clumps of mesenchymal stem cell/extracellular matrix complexes (C-MSCs) or cryopreserved C-MSCs (cryo-C-MSC) were transplanted into a rat calvarial defect 1.6 mm in diameter with no artificial scaffold. Scale bars = 1.0 mm. b Micro-CT images of bone regeneration by C-MSCs or cryo-C-MSCs. The calvarial defect area was scanned by micro-CT on day 28. Scale bars = 500 μm. c The volume of mineralized tissue on day 28 was quantified. Data are the mean ± SD of four rats per group. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, by ANOVA. d All rats were sacrificed 28 days after implantation of C-MSCs and the calvarial bones were fixed. Coronal sections were obtained and stained with H&E. Scale bars = 500 μm. The photographs are representative of four independent experiments