Fig. 4

In-vivo homing and retention. a, b BLIS analysis of luminescent distribution within left knees of New Zealand rabbits at 2, 7, and 14 days after DIAI of luciferase-labeled MSCs or MSCs-PCC (a n = 3 in each group). Red frames indicate cartilage defect. Luminescent intensity of total ROI radiance within cartilage defect (red frame) calculated to reveal homing of MSCs (b). **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001. c Retention of MSCs within cartilage defect calculated by ratio of radiance at 7 days or 14 days to that at 2 days in (b) *p < 0.01. d Sagittal frozen sections of cartilage lesion site, red particles are CM-DiI-labeled MSCs (scale bar, 400 μm). d days, MSC mesenchymal stem cell, PCC pericellular collagen I coating, ROI region of interest