Fig. 5

Effects of QQ-controlled PBMNC transplantation on compromised soft tissue healing at 2 weeks post-extraction. a Representative trichrome-stained images of tooth extraction sockets of distal roots (black dotted line: tooth extraction sockets; bar, 200 μm). Collagen production in the connective tissue of tooth extraction was significantly increased in QQ-controlled PBMNC vs. VC (***p < 0.001). Notably, production of type I collagen was significantly increased in QQ-controlled PBMNC vs. VC (*p < 0.05), whereas the production of type III collagen was the same between QQ-controlled PBMNC and VC. Polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) were significantly decreased in QQ-controlled PBMNC vs. VC (***p < 0.001). b Representative CD31-immunostained images (red fluorescence: blood vessels; Ep: epithelium; Ct: connective tissue; bar, 50 μm). The number of blood vessels was significantly increased in QQ-controlled PBMNC vs. VC (***p < 0.001). Vessel density was significantly increased in QQ-controlled PBMNC vs. VC (***p < 0.001). c Representative F4/80- and CD206-immunostained images (red fluorescence: F4/80⁺ macrophage; orange fluorescence: F4/80⁺CD206⁺ cell; Ct: connective tissue; bar, 100 μm). The numbers of F4/80⁺CD206⁻- and F4/80⁺CD206⁺-cells were significantly increased in QQ-controlled PBMNC vs. VC (***p < 0.01 and *p < 0.05, respectively). d Relative gene expression levels of IL-10, TGF-β, and IL-1β were the same between groups at both 72 hours and 2 weeks after cell transplantation. The relative gene expression level of TNF-α was significantly decreased in QQ-controlled PBMNC vs. VC at 72 hours and 2 weeks after cell therapy (*p < 0.05). The Mann-Whitney U test was used for IL-1β analysis. Student’s t test was performed for all other analyzed parameters. n = 7/group; QQ: QQ-controlled PBMNC therapy